Atlanta is a growing city, and traffic can be horrendous at the busiest times. With heavier traffic comes an increased risk of accidents. When it comes to tractor-trailer collisions, many of these accidents are the result of fatigued driving.
Truck accidents can be some of the worst on Atlanta roads, so you should always speak to an Atlanta semi truck accident lawyer if you’re injured by a fatigued truck driver. A truck accident attorney can prove how the crash happened and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Fatigued driving can be a severe problem. Any time someone gets behind the wheel without proper rest, the chances of an accident rise significantly. There are several reasons that truckers often have issues with fatigued driving:
Truckers spend most of their driving hours on the highways. Driving for hours on the interstate can lead to a type of hypnosis in the driver. It can dull the senses and increase the chances of falling asleep. This effect worsens after midnight until 5 am. Most truck accidents happen during this period, and the cause is often fatigued driving.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limits the hours a truck driver can drive and the time the driver must be off before going on duty again. However, drivers are usually paid per mile, so there is a temptation to drive more than they should. Sometimes, the employer will encourage the driver to break HOS rules.
Driving a truck for long hours on the highway puts much stress on the human body. The trucker may have chronic fatigue, back pain, other body aches, or various other medical issues. About one-third of truck drivers are overweight and have sleep apnea, which makes it difficult to stay asleep because of breathing issues. Sleep apnea can trigger extreme daytime fatigue, which is a big risk for truck drivers.
Truckers often take prescription drugs for stress, pain, depression, and various medical issues. A driver who takes drugs on long drives to stay awake may eventually fall asleep when the drug wears off. Other drivers may take sleeping pills that lead to grogginess when driving.
It is common for truckers to be on the road the whole week, have one or two days off, and then go back on the road for another week. They may need to balance family time, house duties, and taking care of kids. These responsibilities mean that their downtime may not be as restful as it should be, potentially leading to more truck accidents.
Federal law requires truckers to take work breaks, and the required sleep doesn’t always fit the driver’s schedule. Many truckers do not control how long it takes to unload and load a truck. They also cannot control how long they sit in traffic jams or how long they have to wait to pick up their next load. They may be unable to sleep during non-driving time because of other work-related factors. This can cause them to be fatigued when driving.
Whatever the reason for the drowsy trucker, it’s always dangerous when one is behind the wheel of a huge rig. Fatigued driving means slower reaction times, reduced alertness, subpar decision-making, and problems with cognition and memory. Semi-truck accident attorneys routinely examine the causes of Atlanta truck accidents.
Accidents are often caused by fatigued drivers driving too much in a limited time. A truck crash attorney can gather evidence to prove a driver’s fatigue. This evidence could include eyewitness testimony, video surveillance recordings, and cell phone records.
Your truck accident attorney will collect the evidence showing the fatigued driver and present it to the insurance company. They will negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for the best settlement to cover all your losses. If you cannot reach a settlement with the insurance company, a skilled truck crash attorney will take the case to court before a jury if they won’t offer enough money.
All drivers should ensure that they are well-rested before driving. Truck drivers, however, often face pressure to push on through their fatigue. You can take legal action if a tired trucker injures you. An Atlanta semi-truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Speak to a truck crash attorney today to learn more.