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Drowsy driving is a hazard that affects many drivers, especially commercial truckers who spend long hours on the road. Fatigued truck drivers in Charleston County accidents could be liable and responsible for paying compensation to victims for injuries and other related damages.
Find out how fatigued truck driving can cause an accident and why it is best to consult a semi-truck wreck attorney to discuss an injury claim.
Many truck drivers experience fatigue while on the road, making it a major issue in the trucking industry. Driving while drowsy is potentially as dangerous as driving under the influence, as it can slow down reaction times and cause drivers to make poor decisions, in many instances resulting in an accident.
Fatigued driving could range from slight tiredness to actually falling asleep at the wheel, any of which levels can increase the risk of an accident considerably.
While there are regulations in place to keep commercial truckers from operating a vehicle while drowsy, many drivers neglect to follow these rules and put themselves and others at risk. For example, trucking companies make truckers track their hours of service (HOS) and take periodic rest breaks, and electronic logging devices (ELDs) help enforce HOS regulations.
As such, fatigued truck drivers in Charleston County crashes could be responsible for resulting injuries and damages if they failed to take the proper precautions to prevent fatigue.
There are numerous potential causes of fatigued driving that can affect truck drivers.
One of the main causes of drowsy driving among truckers is driving for long hours at a time. This is why there are federal and employer regulations limiting the number of consecutive hours a driver can be on the road. Despite these regulations, drivers might choose to continue driving beyond their permitted HOS and become fatigued.
Truck drivers may also not get enough sleep, or they may suffer from poor sleep quality. Working long hours means that truckers do not often get the rest they need, and discomfort while trying to sleep in certain locations or conditions may make it hard to get good sleep.
Certain medical conditions could further contribute to fatigued driving, particularly sleep apnea, which affects many drivers as they are unable to sleep due to the inability to breathe while asleep. Other medical conditions impacting sleep patterns may include certain heart conditions, diabetes, and anemia.
When drivers work night shifts, they may struggle to regulate their sleep, especially if their body is not used to pulling these shifts regularly. Naturally, driving at night makes it harder for drivers to stay alert and can lead to drowsy driving.
If you believe that your collision was caused by a fatigued truck driver in Charleston County, schedule a consultation with our team today.
If drowsy truck driving caused an accident and subsequent damages to you or a loved one, you may be able to file a claim against the liable drivers. Fatigued drivers put themselves and others at risk through poor judgment and slower reaction times, and they may lose control of a vehicle entirely if they fall asleep while driving.
Consult an attorney to identify and potentially recover compensation from fatigued truck drivers in Charleston County accidents, and learn about your legal options in a free consultation.