It’s easy to understand why truck driver fatigue is such a prevalent problem on our roadways. No matter what time of day you may be driving, you will likely be sharing the road with big rig trucks on their way to destinations all across the state and country. The grueling schedules that truck drivers endure would exhaust almost anyone. And thus truck driver fatigue is a major cause of many accidents every year.
It’s easy to believe that all a truck driver needs do to beat fatigue is adhere to the federal requirements for taking breaks and sleeping. But what this notion fails to take into account is that many truck drivers are silently suffering from mental health issues caused by their experiences while traveling.
It is estimated that during the course of their careers, approximately one-third of the nation’s 3.5 million truck drivers will have the misfortune of being involved in a serious accident on the road. And being in an accident can cause emotional as well as physical harm. A driver who has been in a wreck, or witnessed the carnage created by a collision, may wind up suffering from a mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder.
Compounding this problem is the fact that truck drivers often lack the resources necessary to get proper mental health care. Because their livelihood demands staying on the road, truck drivers will simply climb back in their cab and continue on their journey without the benefit of counseling and observation.
It is easy to empathize with the plight of truck drivers. But they are operating very large, powerful vehicles and when a driver nods off or zones out due to fatigue, the results can be devastating.
If you or a family member has been in a truck accident that appears related to driver fatigue, you may want to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help determine all liable parties to get you the full extent of the compensation to which you are entitled.