How Many Truck Accidents Are Caused by Driver Fatigue?

Accidents involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can be devastating. Truck accidents often result in serious injuries or even fatalities. While there are many reasons why these accidents occur, driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of collisions. When a truck driver is tired and fatigued, their ability to operate their vehicle safely is affected. This can greatly increase the risk of accidents and injuries to others.

Showing that a truck accident was caused by driver fatigue is not always easy. However, with the help of a skilled lawyer, truck accident victims can take action against a truck driver or their employer and pursue compensation for their injuries.

The Effects of Fatigue on Truck Drivers

Fatigue can impair a truck driver both physically and mentally, affecting their ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely. Some common ways that fatigue can affect truck drivers include:

• Decreased alertness: Fatigue reduces a driver's ability to pay attention to the road conditions around them. This can lead to delayed reaction times and poor decision-making while driving.

• Limited concentration: When a driver is fatigued, they may struggle to maintain focus. Lack of concentration may cause a driver to miss important details or fail to notice and obey traffic signs or signals.

• Poor judgment: Fatigue impairs a driver's decision-making skills, making it difficult for them to assess and respond to risks on the road. They may engage in risky behaviors such as speeding or tailgating without realizing the dangers of doing so.

• Lack of coordination: Physical coordination is crucial for operating large commercial trucks safely. However, fatigue affects a driver’s motor skills and hand-eye coordination, making it harder for them to maintain control of their vehicles.

• Drowsiness and microsleeps: Extreme fatigue can lead to brief episodes where a person falls asleep momentarily without realizing it. These microsleeps can last anywhere from a few seconds up to several minutes. Nodding off while behind the wheel is likely to lead to dangerous truck accidents.

Truck drivers often work long hours, and they have demanding schedules. They may be under pressure to meet tight deadlines, leading them to sacrifice sleep and rest in order to deliver their cargo on time. While federal laws limit the number of hours that commercial truck drivers can drive, some drivers may bend or break the rules. They may even be encouraged to violate regulations by trucking companies that are looking to deliver cargo as quickly as possible. These practices can lead to unsafe driving that may make truck accidents more likely to occur.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue is a factor in around 13 percent of all commercial truck crashes. There are more than 100,000 truck accidents involving injuries each year, so it is clear that truck driver fatigue is an ongoing safety concern.

Contact an Experienced Aurora Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, it is crucial to get legal help from an Illinois truck accident lawyer who can assist you in pursuing compensation. At Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices, we understand the issues involved in these cases, and we work to help victims receive payments that will address their injuries and damages.

We will thoroughly investigate your case, gathering evidence such as truck driver log books, video footage of an accident, and witness statements. By showing that negligence on the part of a truck driver or their employer was to blame for an accident, we can make sure these parties will be held responsible for the harm you have suffered. We will fight tirelessly on your behalf while providing the support you need throughout the legal process.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact us today at 630-585-2320. We will provide you with personalized attention, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay any fees unless we win your case.