Truck accidents on Georgia’s roads are a tragedy. The occupants of the smaller vehicle often suffer serious injuries due to the truck’s large size.
You might be aware that truck driver fatigue is a common factor in many truck accidents. Truck drivers must spend long hours on the road operating a heavy vehicle and fighting to meet their deadlines.
How drivers can become fatigued
Like many industries, the trucking industry has been dealing with a shortage of workers recently. This can lead to truckers taking on more jobs and longer hours, only increasing fatigue.
Additionally, many truck drivers are paid by the mile, not by the hour. This only encourages them to drive as many miles as possible, even if it at the expense of their safety and health.
However, truck driver fatigue is not a new issue. In fact, according to the Truck Safety Coalition, truck driver fatigue has been cited as a contributor to fatal truck accidents for over 70 years.
Truck drivers are required to take meal and rest breaks, but if they are behind deadline, or want to drive more miles and make more money, they may skip these breaks.
Watching out for fatigued drivers
There is no way for you to know which truck drivers are driving while they are fatigued or drowsy. It might even be best to just assume that they are and avoid them as much as you can.
Signs of fatigued driving include drifting over into other lanes or randomly speeding up and then slowing down.
Helping you after an accident
If you are the victim of a truck accident, you may have a long road ahead of you. Get medical attention immediately and treat your injuries.
Get the truck driver’s information and the name of the company they work for, as well as any identifying information they have.
While recovering, you can speak with a personal injury attorney to learn about the chance of receiving compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Fatigued driving is negligent driving, and a truck driver could be held legally liable.