Accidents that involve semitrucks are often very serious. These large trucks can crush smaller vehicles and severely injure the occupants of the vehicle. In some cases, a car isn’t even recognizable after the accident.
It is important for semitruck drivers to take all the steps they can to prevent accidents from occurring. In some cases, a preventable cause like driver fatigue might have led to the accident. When it comes to driver fatigue, the cause isn’t always related to a lack of sleep.
Driver fatigue in semitruck drivers can be caused by medical conditions, overwhelming work schedules or driving conditions. In each of these cases, it might be possible for the driver to take steps to reduce fatigue so that he or she can drive safely.
When it comes to driving conditions, driving on familiar roads, in conditions that are too hot and at night are some of the factors that can impact driver fatigue. Each of these can have an affect on its own, but they can also have a cumulative effect.
There isn’t much that can be done about the roads that the driver has to take to get from one point to another, but the driver can make sure he or she takes steps to stay awake and alert. Keeping the cab of the truck a comfortable temperature can help. Driving during the day when possible is also a good idea.
If driver fatigue is the cause of the accident, you might be able to receive compensation via a civil suit based on that fact. Your attorney can seek to look at the driver log book and other evidence that can indicate the underlying cause of the accident.
Source: Stop Unsafe Trucks, “Accidents & Fatigue,” accessed Oct. 21, 2016