Sleep Apnea Leading To More Trucking Accidents?

On behalf of The Law Offices of David L. Milligan posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Driver fatigue is a major factor in many accidents. Truck drivers are often under significant pressures to cover long distances in a short amount of time, which often means that they do not get enough rest before getting behind the wheel. Despite the strict rules that limit the amount of time truck drivers can be behind the wheel, there are still a number of crashes caused by drivers who have not been able to get adequate rest before getting back on the road.

One of the major reasons that these drivers are experience fatigue is that they are not getting quality rest. A recent study examined the impact of sleep apnea on truck driver accident rates, and it determined that a driver with untreated sleep apnea is five times more likely to be involved in a serious and preventable trucking accident.

Many of these drivers with untreated conditions suffer from daytime drowsiness, which means that they are extremely tired when they are behind the wheel. This can sometimes increase the reaction time of the drivers, which places them in situations where they are unable to prevent an accident from happening.

Officials believe that these results should lead to great requirements in place that require more extensive sleep apnea screenings and treatments. New rules are being considered that would increase the amount of sleep apnea testing for truck drivers, but until these pass, there are truck drivers on the roads who are placing other motorists at risk.

What you should do if you are in a trucking accident

The very first thing that you should do, if you are seriously injured, is to seek medical treatment. Often the injuries associated with these crashes require immediate medical care, and it is important to get these concerns addressed as soon as possible.

Once you have dealt with any emergency issues, you need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Your attorney will immediately begin working on the important matters connected to your case. This includes performing an extensive investigation of the crash, and representing your interests in negotiations with insurance companies.

An experienced lawyer will be able to tell you exactly what your claim is worth, and will be able to guide you through the process, including at trial, if it is necessary. This will allow you to focus on recovering from your injuries, and will help reduce a great amount of the stress that is connected to your accident.