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Was fatigue to blame for your truck accident?

On Behalf of | Dec 9, 2019 | Personal Injury

The aftermath of a truck accident can be complex and confusing, especially if you are struggling with injuries and other complications. As the victim of a commercial trucking accident in Tennessee, you may be unsure of how you can pick up the pieces and move forward after this point. One of the first things you may want to know is why your accident happened in the first place. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and other national groups have implemented various safety rules and regulations over the last few decades. Despite these things, the rate of commercial truck accidents continues to rise. There are many reasons why these types of incidents happen, but fatigue is one of the leading causes. It is possible that your truck accident was the result of a driver who was too tired to be safe.

The danger of a tired driver

Truckers often work long hours on the road. The natural fatigue that can come from driving long stretches of time and the monotony can cause a driver to be dangerously sleepy and make poor decisions. One of the main reasons for this is trucking companies maintain unrealistic schedules that put too much pressure on truckers. They also sometimes pressure drivers to deliver loads faster.

While there are many factors that are in play when a fatigued trucker causes an accident, one of the main ones is mental or physical exhaustion. When the person is behind the wheel of a large truck, he or she is more apt to make poor decisions, possibly including the following:

  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Changing lanes without looking
  • Aggressive driving

Commercial trucks are significantly heavier and larger than other types of vehicles on the road. When they collide with a smaller car or truck, the final result can be catastrophic for the people in the smaller vehicle. For this reason, truckers have a special responsibility to be cautious and careful, including acknowledging when they are too tired to drive. 

What are your rights and options?

If you are the victim of a truck accident, you do not have to walk through the aftermath on your own. You may have grounds to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. It is possible a fatigued trucker may be to blame for what happened to you as are the irresponsible practices and dangerous schedules enforced by the trucking company. An assessment of your case can help you see what options you have.

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