There are times when motorists are responsible for truck accidents. However, in many cases, a truck driver’s negligence is what ultimately leads to an accident. There are a lot of risk factors faced by truck drivers that may put them more at risk for accidents, such as health issues, lack of sleep and inexperience.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of an accident caused by a truck driver, it is important to consult with an experienced South Bend truck driver accident lawyer at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak for assistance with your claim. We can answer your questions about the different factors that led to the accident and how the truck driver or trucking company may be at fault.
Health Issues
Different health issues can affect a truck driver and increase the risk of an accident. These include the following medical conditions:
- Obesity
- Cancer
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart attacks
- Alcoholism
- Addiction to narcotics
Other health concerns that could affect the driver in a commercial vehicle include bad eating habits as well as spinal and back problems that emerge because of long periods of sitting behind the wheel. When the driver does not take regular breaks during his or her shift, he or she can suffer back and neck pain. Other bad habits can increase blood pressure or lead to diabetes.
Trouble Sleeping
Many truckers have trouble sleeping in their vehicles during breaks in their driving, and this can increase the risk of an accident when they go back on the road. Many suffer from irregular sleeping patterns due to long hours of driving.
Uncomfortable sleeping options can plague these drivers and create sleeping troubles. Lights and noises can also cause the trucker to remain awake when it is important to sleep.
One particularly serious sleeping problem is sleep apnea. If the driver has this condition, he or she may have trouble sleeping and have trouble remaining awake while driving. This illness can also affect blood pressure, and when this condition is combined with diabetes, it can cause issues with breathing.
Inexperience
Many truck drivers today are inexperienced. There is a great need for truckers due to the popularity of online shopping. The lack of employees drives companies to cut corners in training and proper supervision. This leads to violations of trucking regulations, such as hours of service rules. Inexperienced drivers are also more likely to make bad decisions behind the wheel or struggle to handle the vehicle in a crisis, leading to dangerous accidents.
Decisions about care, maintenance and upkeep with the truck are extremely important and an inexperienced truck driver is more likely to make bad choices that could make the vehicle more likely to not perform as it should.
Distractions
Truck drivers can fall victim to a variety of distractions. For inexperienced truckers, these distractions involve cellphones and other electronics used in the commercial vehicle. However, many other employees struggle with visual distractions that take their hands off the wheel and their attention from the road, such as taking their hands off the wheel to adjust controls in the truck.
Other distractions include the following:
- The radio
- A passenger that is noisy or is talking
- Papers and other items that move in the cab
- Visually-appealing scenery
- Audio concerns outside the truck
Seek Legal Advice from an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one sustained injuries because of a truck accident caused by driver negligence, we at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak can help you with the claim. We have decades of combined experience representing injury victims and will investigate the incident thoroughly on your behalf. We can work diligently to collect and assess evidence connected to the accident.
We will handle all communication with the insurance companies and pursue the most compensation possible for your claim. We will not charge you unless your claim is successful and you are awarded compensation.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
