Accidents Caused by Sleeping Truck Drivers

By Car Accident Help on February 8, 2017 | Posted in: Truck Collision

Truck drivers are hard working, busy individuals. They are faced with strict deadlines and long hauls. Their demanding schedules are wherein lie the dangers they can bestow on themselves, other drivers, and pedestrians. Estimates by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration report that roughly 100,000 trucking accidents can be linked to drowsy or sleeping drivers annually.

If these staggering numbers don’t upset you, consider a study conducted by Harvard School of Medicine. Their Sleep Medicine Division concluded that roughly 250,000 people are reported to fall asleep while driving each day in the United States. Also noted in the study was the conclusion that roughly 50% of the test’s participants drove while drowsy, and another 25% divulged that they actually fell asleep while driving, even if it was only momentarily. Truck drivers were grouped differently in the test, and thus scored differently. However, half of the truck drivers questioned still admitted to having “drifted off” while on the job.

When a driver, especially a truck driver falls asleep on the road, there is a supposed and unfortunate probability that an accident will result. When such an accident occurs serious damage and injury can result. The following are some of the injuries frequently suffered by victims of car accidents:

• Head injuries such as concussions, brain contusions, and other types of cranial trauma
• Neck and spinal cord injuries such as whiplash, broken backs and necks, and paralysis
• Injuries to various appendages including bruising, sprains, dislocated joints, and broken bones
• Internal injuries such as ruptures, internal bleeding, and dysplasia

These are just some of the injuries that the victims of car and truck accidents can suffer. When the driver of a large truck carrying several thousand pounds collides with a car, it can be damaging to the health of drivers and passengers alike. Because of the law of inertia, a massive vehicle like a semi truck cannot be easily slowed down or stopped. With a sleeping driver at the wheel, it’s anybody’s guess how much damage can be caused.

If you, or a loved one, was involved in a car accident with a fatigued truck driver, or a semi truck in general, it is always recommended that you file a lawsuit with the help of a qualified lawyer. At Car Accident Help, our experienced lawyers are waiting to aid victims seeking restitution. Please contact us at (877) 478-3737 for consultation.