Common Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue

 Posted on October 21, 2021 in Car Accident

Truck drivers face high standards for the number of miles they are expected to drive each day. With the desire to return home to their families as soon as possible, truck drivers often push themselves to drive for much longer and farther than they should. When truck drivers feel pressure to continue driving despite the immense fatigue they are experiencing, catastrophic truck accidents are more likely to occur.

When a driver’s mind and body are fatigued, they are more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel and cause an accident. But even in cases where the driver is able to stay awake, they will likely struggle to properly control the vehicle and maintain focus. Drowsiness can result in slower response time and failure to notice other vehicles in their blindspots.

Truck drivers are often under pressure to cover great distances in a short amount of time. However, that is not the only reason that a driver in this industry may suffer from fatigue while on the job.

Factors That Often Result in Fatigued Driving for Truck Drivers

Often, truck drivers get behind the wheel on minimal sleep so that they can complete their jobs as soon as possible. Even in cases that the driver is following all required regulations, it may still be possible for them to suffer from extreme drowsiness and struggle to catch up on sleep in between shifts. Unfortunately, there are several other factors that may contribute to this danger.

If a driver is struggling with an illness, such as a mild cold or severe infection, any drowsiness they may usually experience will be exponentially increased. A truck driver who is not able to take sick time may face a strenuous schedule while their body is trying to recover, resulting in immense fatigue and difficulty driving. Certain medications, for both temporary and permanent conditions, can result in drowsiness as well.

Unfortunately, it is not entirely uncommon for truck drivers to drive inebriated. Truck drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while working are highly susceptible to fatigued driving.

Because truck drivers frequently face unrealistic deadlines, it is common for them to continue their shift through any hour of the night, even those outside of their body’s normal waking hours. This can greatly affect the driver’s ability to maintain awareness.

Contact Our Larimer County Truck Accident Attorney Today

Fatigued drivers can cause incredibly unsafe driving conditions for other parties using the road. When accidents result due to unsafe or negligent driving of a commercial truck driver, injured victims should have the chance to recover damages. If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in an accident involving a large truck, Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can explain what options may be available for compensation and help you to hold the appropriate parties responsible for any damages. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled Fort Collins personal injury attorneys, call 970-225-2190.

Sources:

https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Pages/SS9502.aspx

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief