Car accidents are an unfortunate fact of modern life. Sometimes, they’re a frustrating inconvenience. But when a commercial truck is involved, they can often be deadly and tragic. And while any driver can be negatively affected by a lack of sleep, it’s even more dangerous for commercial drivers of massive trucks.
Sleep apnea and truck drivers
A common affliction, sleep apnea is a chronic condition that interrupts a person’s sleep. It is a problem with their breathing, where the person’s breathing pauses repeatedly throughout the night. This impairs their ability to remain in deep sleep and, as a result, they are tired from a lack of quality sleep. Sleep apnea affects millions of people and frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated.
For truck drivers, sleep apnea can be disastrous. Long hours on the road can make one drowsy to begin with. Add in the lack of quality sleep, over and over again, and it can be a recipe for disaster. Commercial drivers are up against deadlines, imposed by their employers or by the recipients of the goods they ship. The need to sleep can often take a back seat to the demands of their job.
Legal recourse after a truck accident
If you are injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, a thorough investigation must be done, and quickly. It is critical not only to find out who is responsible, but what the circumstances were that led up to the accident. Moreover, it’s often not as simple as the truck driver being solely responsible. Liability may extend past the driver and to the trucking company, the shipping company or another party entirely. These questions must be answered to ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.
