Understanding the consequences of trucker fatigue

On the road, you could suffer serious injuries if you become involved in a large truck accident. Every year, these crashes leave many victims with devastating injuries that turn their lives upside down in a host of ways, from missing work and struggling with medical costs to immobility and mental difficulties.

Large truck collisions take place for many reasons, and in addition to intoxication, distractions and speeding, many of these crashes occur due to fatigue. Large truck drivers are especially likely to experience fatigue behind the wheel, which is particularly dangerous due to the massive size of these vehicles.

Looking at some causes of truck driver fatigue

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, large truck drivers can become fatigued for many different reasons. Sometimes, fatigue occurs as a result of working too many hours or driving late at night and in the early morning hours. Some truck drivers become fatigued due to poor sleep, whether they struggle with a chronic sleep disorder or do not get enough sleep during a single night.

Other factors associated with truck driver fatigue include a poor diet and medication that results in drowsiness.

Data on large truck accidents and fatigue

Data published by the FMCSA shows that drowsiness is especially likely to affect drivers between 12 AM and 6 AM, as well as in the afternoon, between 2 PM and 4 PM. A study on large truck accidents found that commercial vehicle drivers involved in accidents struggled with fatigue in 13% of the crashes.

If you are trying to restore a sense of normalcy after a large truck accident caused by a negligent driver, make sure you review all of the details of the crash as you try to move forward.