Georgia Truck Accident Attorneys Discuss the Importance of Keeping Commercial Truckers Awake Behind the Wheel
Truck drivers operate massive, powerful commercial vehicles. Thankfully, most are safe, law abiding drivers. However, not all truck drivers recognize the sheer responsibility that comes with driving these 80,000 pound trucks. Any truck driver who engages in careless or reckless driving behavior because he or she is fatigued places him or herself as well as other road users at considerable risk.
Overtired truckers cause a number of truck accidents in Georgia each year. Although the government has passed a number of regulations concerning the hours which a truck driver must sleep, there are not enough precautions in place to guarantee truckers will comply with these regulations. Anyone injured by a tired trucker may be eligible for compensation from the at-fault trucker or trucking company responsible for their injuries.
Fatigue Can Lead to Serious Truck Accidents
There are numerous reasons why a truck accident can occur, and drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Fatigue impacts the driver in ways that make a crash far more likely, including, but not limited to:
- Reducing the driver's ability to stay awake and focus on the road ahead;
- Reducing the driver's ability to react and make important decisions in order to navigate around obstacles or hazards in the road;
- Impairing the driver's vision and other senses; and
- Impairing the driver's judgment and ability to make decisions according to the circumstances.
Although it is dangerous for any driver to drive while fatigued, it is especially so for the drivers of commercial trucks. This is due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks. When a tractor trailer hits another object while driving at a fast speed, the results for the occupants of the other vehicle can be catastrophic.
Recent accidents have proven the deadly results of truck drivers driving while too tired. The truck crash that severely injured comedian Tracy Morgan and claimed the life of his friend was likely the result of the driver not sleeping for over 28 hours before the crash. This is just one of many crashes attributed to tired trucking.
How Can Truck Drivers Manage Fatigue?
Federal as well as state laws and regulations are designed to ensure truck drivers get the necessary rest to drive safely. These regulations state that commercial truckers:
• Cannot be on duty for more than 14 hours during any 24 hour period;
• Must be off duty for at least 10 hours out of every 24 hour period;
• Must have a 30 minute break for every eight hours of driving.
Following any truck accident, your attorney should investigate the possibility that fatigue was involved in the crash.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Zealous Georgia Truck Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact the Georgia Truck Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our law firm is dedicated to assisting injured accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast. The sooner you act after your injury, the greater your chances are of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/drowsy_driving1/Drowsy.html