Becoming a truck driver is not easy. In order to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a driver must pass a series of exams, including a written test and a skills assessment. Once a driver has obtained a CDL, he or she and his or her company must properly maintain their vehicle and ensure all commercial driving regulations are followed. However, most commercial drivers are paid by the mile, so they have an incentive to drive more than regulations allow, often leading to truck driver fatigue.
If you or a loved one was injured in a serious truck accident in Mississippi, speak to a lawyer from Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman as soon as possible. We represent truck accident victims and help them obtain the compensation they deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There are many causes of 18-wheeler accidents, with one of the most common being truck driver fatigue. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation — truck drivers:
- Cannot drive for more than a specified number of consecutive hours
- Keep a log of their driving hours
- Must take breaks lasting a minimum of eight or 10 hours
These rules are in place to protect you, your family members, and everyone else who uses Mississippi roads. Unfortunately, many drivers violate these rules in order to make more money. This is negligent behavior that makes a driver and his or her company liable for any injuries — whether they are minor or catastrophic — that he or she caused.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Truckers need to be well-rested when they drive. This is one reason why there are limits to how long they can drive and what type of rest breaks they must take. However, lack of sleep isn’t the only thing that can lead to fatigue serious enough that it impacts a trucker’s driving abilities.
Medical conditions, such as sleep apnea and diabetes, can lead to fatigue, as can being overweight and out of shape. Even stress, riding in a hot and stuffy cab, or driving on familiar roads can cause truckers to doze off at the wheel. Nighttime highway hypnosis is another issue, as the lights of the oncoming vehicles might cause drivers’ eyes to get tired and droopy.
Truckers face many hazards when they drive, but it is up to the truckers and the trucking companies to try to minimize them. Making sure that the truckers have ample time to meet deadlines is one way that this risk can be mitigated, as then they won’t feel the need to rush, speed or bypass sleep in an effort to meet their deadlines.
Truck Driver Distraction
Driving a semi-truck takes a lot of concentration, so trying to do other things behind the wheel isn’t a good idea. Truckers can become distracted by a host of things, including their smartphones. In fact, texting while driving a semi-truck is something at which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has specifically issued warnings.
There are other things that can distract people from operating semi-trucks. These include operating a GPS device, trying to read delivery instructions, reaching for things in the cab, manipulating climate control or the radio, and eating or drinking. Even things that you wouldn’t think that a trucker would do, such as grooming activities or putting on makeup, could lead to distractions.
The distractions that truckers face include anything that can take the trucker’s mind or eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel. All of these work together for the trucker to drive safely. When any component of safe driving is missing, a trucking accident might occur.
The accident attorneys at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman, will get to work immediately on your case. We work quickly to preserve evidence, speak to witnesses, and prevent a trucker’s insurance company from undervaluing or denying your potential claim. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or a tragic loss because of the negligent acts of a fatigued truck driver, then we encourage you to speak with one of our talented attorneys.
For a free and confidential consultation, contact our attorneys. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman helps those who have been injured in a truck accident due to truck driver fatigue throughout Northern Mississippi including the cities of Southaven and Hernando as well as the counties of DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica.
