Truck driver fatigue is a serious safety concern on our nation’s roads. To combat truck driver fatigue, truck drivers are allowed to drive for a maximum of 11 hours per day and must take a mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. The FMCSA sets and enforces these rules and regulations, and truck drivers are obligated to follow them.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Many truck drivers violate these regulations, often driving for far longer than 11 hours at a time. This can lead to drowsy or even asleep driving, which can cause serious accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, truck driver fatigue is a leading contributing factor in large truck crashes. In fact, fatigue was a factor in nearly 8% of all large truck crashes in 2018. And, it is estimated that 13% of fatal large truck crashes involve drowsy driving.
If you are involved in an accident with a truck, it is important to find out if the truck driver was following the proper regulations. If they were not, then they may be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur.
Sleep Apnea and Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers are probably well aware of the dangers of driving while tired. But many do not realize that a common medical condition could be a major contributing factor in trucking accidents.
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. This can happen many times throughout the night and can lead to fatigue during the day. Truck drivers with sleep apnea may be more likely to drive fatigued, which can lead to serious and deadly trucking accidents.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, up to 18% of commercial truck drivers have sleep apnea. That means that nearly one in five truckers is at risk for an accident due to this condition.
Truck drivers who suspect that they might have sleep apnea are urged to visit their healthcare provider to seek a diagnosis and treatment. This may involve using a CPAP machine during sleep.
What Can You Do If You Suffer an Injury in a Truck Accident
If you suffered an injury in a truck accident in Colorado Springs, you may not know what to do immediately after your accident. The best thing you can do is to focus on your recovery and let a personal injury attorney investigate your accident. Your attorney will review all the details surrounding your accident and determine if truck driver fatigue played a role in the crash. Without a lawyer on your side, you might get the runaround from insurance companies hoping to convince you to sign a quick settlement.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Truck Accident Law Firm Today
Our Colorado Springs truck accident attorneys can help you after suffering an injury in a truck accident. We know how to handle the insurance companies and get you maximum compensation. Let us do what we do best, so you can focus on your recovery. Contact Schofield & Green Law today by calling (719) 694-8515, or by filling out the contact form on this page, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your case.
