Truck Accidents Caused by Fatigue or DUI
In the past decade, there has been a 43% increase in truck accidents, threatening the safety of all road users. Given a commercial truck’s size and weight, the issue is only heightened when driver exhaustion and impairment are thrown into the mix. Although truck drivers must follow federal standards regarding how many hours they are allowed to operate their vehicles each day, that has far from remediated the issue.
At Raybin & Weissman, our Nashville truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured truck accident victims recover from accident-related injuries. In this blog, we discuss the effects that fatigue and alcohol can have on a truck driver.
Delayed Response in Emergency Situations
Driving requires the full use of an individual’s motor skills and decision-making. A truck driver who has not received adequate sleep or is otherwise impaired will have delayed reaction times, which can create significant risks to others. Given that Tennessee law allows motorists to travel up to 70 miles per hour on interstate highways, a fully loaded big rig (which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds) will take up to twenty times longer to stop than the average car or truck. Factoring in driver impairment, the chances of an accident increase substantially.
More Easily Distracted
Distracted or inattentive driving is a global concern, taking the lives of thousands of people annually. An exhausted or impaired truck driver is more likely to get distracted by external stimuli or even within their vehicle. Since our brains crave outside stimuli when we are too tired to stay alert, an impaired trucker is less likely to keep their focus on the road ahead.
Lack of Reasoning Skills
Truck drivers have to make critical decisions when maneuvering their vehicles, even in ideal conditions. Both the dimensions and weight of a commercial truck pose challenges when drivers are attempting tight turns and attempting to accelerate uphill. Our cognitive abilities depend on our brains being able to function at full capacity, which is not possible when lack of sleep or substance abuse is part of the equation.
While you may not think fatigued and drunk drivers share similar traits, both types of impaired drivers lack the ability to make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. Studies have shown that a driver who is operating their vehicle for more than 20 hours without sleep has been compared to driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% (the legal limit in Tennessee).
Fighting for Maximum Compensation on Your Behalf
While there is no way of knowing the exact number of truck accidents caused by impaired driving, thousands of lives are impacted every day, and truck drivers are on a restricted schedule, being forced to make deliveries on time despite traffic and inclement weather conditions. While all of us hope that an impaired truck driver will stay off the road, the demands of being a truck driver pressure them into making poor decisions. While this standard is far from fair, other motorists should not pay the price for a broken system.
At Raybin & Weissman, our Nashville truck accident lawyers will fight for just compensation on your behalf, which may encompass direct financial costs such as being evaluated by an emergency room physician, undergoing surgery, physical therapy, and lost wages. Intangible costs such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, and infliction of emotional distress must also be factored in. Your ability to move past the situation and live a full life is our foremost concern, which is why we promise to pursue every possible avenue to recover what you deserve.
Speak with Our Nashville Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Injuries from a truck accident can result in physical, emotional, and financial distress, making everyday life challenging. At Raybin & Weissman, we are committed to seeking justice for injured persons, especially when your hardship is caused by a truck driver’s negligence. If you or a loved one have recently been injured in a truck accident, our Nashville truck accident attorneys are eager to hear from you. To schedule your free, no-risk consultation, we can be reached online or by calling (615) 256-6666 today.