Truck Accidents Stemming from Drowsy Driving and Sleep Deprivation

July 6, 2016, on Articles | Share

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that approximately 800 deaths, 72,000 collisions and 44,000 injuries in 2013 were caused by drowsy drivers. Given the seriousness of the problem, it’s no wonder that lowering drowsy driving-related collisions made the National Transportation Safety Board’s Most Wanted List for 2016.

With all of the vehicles sharing the roads throughout Florida, an accident is bound to happen at some point on any given day, and when the accident involves a huge tractor trailer and a smaller passenger vehicle, the outcome can be deadly. The reasons for truck accidents can vary; however, in recent years, there has been an increase in truck accidents resulting from sleep deprivation.

Sleep Deprivation: A Closer Look at the Issue

Commercial drivers are particularly susceptible to driving while drowsy, primarily because they are often forced to meet strict deadlines to make deliveries in a timely fashion. In general, drowsy driving can be caused by driving too many miles at one time (which is typically the case for professional commercial drivers); driving late at night; general sleep deprivation and sleep apnea or some other type of sleep disorder.

The trucking industry is governed by strict rules and laws, especially pertaining to the number of hours in service that truckers can have per day/week. Still, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notes that about a half-million truck collisions take place each year and over one million individuals sustain serious personal injuries in truck crashes.

In fact, a recent Chicago Tribune story revealed that about 28 percent of professional truckers suffer from sleep apnea. This is of great concern, particularly because even a momentary nod off by a trucker can have catastrophic results.

The Risks Associated With Truck Driver Fatigue

When truckers operate their rigs while tired, they typically suffer from delayed response times, a lack of judgment and dulled alertness, to name a few things. That said, truck drivers should be sure to pay close attention to the symptoms of fatigue, which include drifting in and out of lanes, repeated yawning and difficulty with focusing. If a driver experiences any of those symptoms, that may serve as a sign that he or she needs to take a break and get off the road.

Thousands of individuals are injured in truck accidents on a yearly basis, and the injuries generally range from spinal cord injuries and head injuries to broken bones and burns. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, it is highly likely that you are working with a skilled personal injury lawyer who is doing everything in his or her power to ensure you obtain the just compensation you deserve.

But what do you do in the meantime? Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might be out of work and left to deal with increasing medical costs, along with your normal monthly household expenses. If this is your situation, you might want to consider a lawsuit loan.*

IFN Provides Florida Lawsuit Loans* For Those Awaiting Case Resolution

Injury Funds Now (IFN) can provide accident victims with the funds they need to continue waiting for the best possible outcome to their case. Although some people refer to these funds as “lawsuit loans,” they are not loans in the traditional sense, in that no repayment is required if the case ends unfavorably.

Whether you are located in Florida or a resident of another state, getting the process started is quick and easy. There are no fees to apply, so complete our online application today and let us determine how we can help you.

*DISCLAIMER: The term "loan" or "loans," where used to describe lawsuit funding is not an accurate legal or financial definition of the transaction. IT IS NOT A LOAN. The transaction is a non-recourse purchase of a portion of the proceeds of a potential future case award or settlement. A loan is a transaction that always requires repayment. Our lawsuit funding only requires repayment if the plaintiff receives a favorable recovery. If the plaintiff loses their case, they do not repay anything.