Being involved in a traffic accident with a large commercial truck is very different from being involved in a collision with a regular passenger vehicle. When it comes to large truck collisions, the injuries can be far more severe. When a person has been injured in an accident, establishing fault in these types of accidents can be challenging, as there are usually many different parties involved in truck accident cases.
The Leading Cause of Large Truck Accidents
According to a report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 4,951 fatalities involving large commercial vehicles in 2018. This figure represents an increase in the number of fatalities involving large truck accidents in 2017.
Large truck accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons, but one of the most common is driver error. Although driver error can involve careless actions such as speeding or driving under the influence, driving while fatigued is the leading cause of large truck accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, reports that about 13 percent of large commercial truck drivers are fatigued during an accident. Additionally, FMCSA states that driver fatigue is the result of mental or health exertion, which can ultimately impair a driver’s performance. Driver fatigue can occur as a result of a lack of sleep, strenuous work hours, extended work hours, non-work activities, or other factors.
The Effects of Driver Fatigue in Large Truck Accidents
For large truck drivers that operate their vehicle for long stretches of road, driver fatigue can be difficult to avoid. A driver operating a large commercial vehicle while sleep deprived is a serious concern for all motorists who share the road with him or her. In 2013, drowsy driving was responsible for causing roughly 72,000 traffic accidents, 44,000 injuries, and approximately 800 deaths. Nonetheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has stated that they believe these figures are grossly underestimated.
Driver Fatigue Resembles Drunk Driving
Driver fatigue can negatively affect a wide range of functions drivers need to be able to perform and operate the large commercial truck effectively. For example, studies indicate that fatigue can impair a driver’s vision, coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Moreover, drivers who are sleep deprived can forget to check blind spots before making a lane change. They can also veer into oncoming traffic as they begin to fall asleep, causing head-on collisions.
According to the CDC, fatigue and sleep deprivation demonstrate symptoms similar to those observed in drunk drivers. When drivers are not well-rested, they can experience cognitive impairment similar to that of being drunk.
The agency reports the following:
- Being awake for a minimum of 18 hours has the same implications as having a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.05%.
- Being awake for a minimum of 24 hours has the same implications as having a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.10%, which is significantly higher than the legal limit of 0.08% in the State of California.
Obtain the Proficient Support of an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Large truck accidents can have a wide range of devastating consequences. Although a truck accident can occur for many different reasons, studies indicate that driver fatigue is the leading cause of these types of accidents. After an accident, speak to a proficient litigator who will investigate your case and ensure you are awarded the compensation you truly deserve.
SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation has many years of experience handling complex truck accident cases. The firm understands that aside from bodily harm, large truck accidents typically result in emotional distress and economic hardship. The attorneys at SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation are equipped to handle these challenging cases and have successfully helped many clients obtain the maximum compensation available. After a large truck accident, consider obtaining the legal support of SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation. Schedule a no-obligation consultation with the law firm today.
