Every year, hundreds of people are killed and thousands of others are injured in car accidents caused by drowsy driving. And many of the accidents that result in serious injuries or death involve semi-trucks. If you or a loved one has been affected by a car accident caused by truck driver fatigue, it’s time to talk to a personal injury lawyer about your next steps. But before you move on to litigation, take a look at what you should know about truck accidents caused by sleep deprivation.
Eye-Opening Statistics on Accidents Linked to Truck Driver Fatigue
Sleep deprivation is a major cause of car accidents, as one study found that 1 in 25 adult drivers reported falling asleep while driving at least once in the past month. So it’s no wonder that drowsy driving has been considered a major factor in at least 72,000 car accidents in one year alone—killing about 800 people during that year.
But one group of people is more likely than the average driver to cause an accident due to fatigue, and that’s truck drivers. After all, they often have to drive for several hours in a row—usually in the middle of the night—which is underscored by the fact that about 83 percent of fatal accidents involving semi-trucks occur between 6 pm and 6 am. Additionally, one study found that driver fatigue was at least partially responsible for 13 percent of accidents involving large trucks every year.
In some of those accidents, truck driver fatigue only causes the loss of food as it spills all over the highway. For example, one truck driver’s tanker spilled milk all over the interstate as it crashed, while another driver’s truck ripped open and poured corn off the overpass after the driver fell asleep and crashed. But in other cases, truck driver fatigue leads to total devastation as people are seriously injured or killed, such as when one truck driver fell asleep and caused an accident that killed five people.
The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation Behind the Wheel
As you can see, falling asleep at the wheel is extremely dangerous for anyone. In fact, drowsy driving is a lot like drunk driving, as being awake for 24 hours has the same effect on driving as having a blood alcohol level of .10—above the legal limit of .08. Tired drivers not only have trouble paying attention to the road, but they also have a slower reaction time, so they’re slower to stop when necessary. And of course, drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel don’t even have the chance to try to stop, so you won’t see any evidence that they braked or swerved before causing a collision.
While sleep deprivation can affect anyone, it’s more likely to affect truck drivers. And when it does, the resulting accidents tend to be more serious, since they’re operating a truck that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and cause massive destruction when it hits another vehicle. So it’s no surprise that car accidents involving semi-trucks lead to about 5,000 fatalities and over 340,000 injuries every year, and unfortunately that number has gradually increased over time.
Factors That Lead to Truck Driver Fatigue
If you’re wondering why trucks drivers are more likely to experience sleep deprivation than the average driver, the answer is that they have incentive to drive as many hours as possible. After all, the more they drive, the more money they can make, since they’re often paid by the mile.
Granted, truck drivers do have regulations they’re supposed to follow to encourage them to get more sleep. For example, they’re not allowed to drive for more than 11 hours in a 14-hour period, as they’re supposed to get 10 hours of being off-duty before being on-duty again. Also, if they’re driving for over 8 hours, they’re supposed to take a 30-minute break during that shift.
But just as in any industry, there are always employees—and entire companies—that ignore the rules and do whatever it takes to make more money. And in trucking, that often means driving more hours than the law allows, and taking fewer breaks—all at the expense of other people on the road.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You After an Accident
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in an accident with a semi-truck, you deserve a chance at getting the compensation you need for any medical bills. This might mean preparing for litigation with the help of a personal injury lawyer who has experience with accidents caused by truck driver fatigue. A legal professional of this kind can help gather evidence, identify witnesses, and argue in court to pursue the compensation you deserve.
At Bennett Injury Law, our team has years of experience with litigation involving personal injury lawsuits. We’d be happy to help you navigate the law when you’re ready to begin your case. Contact us today for a free consultation!
