Lack of sleep is a common problem in the U.S. that unfortunately leads to a serious danger: drowsy driving. This is especially dangerous when the driver who did not get enough sleep is operating an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck. Truck driver fatigue is an unfortunately common cause of truck accidents in Georgia.
Truckers often work very long hours to meet the pressure to make deliveries on time. Despite federal regulations designed to force truck drivers to get regular rest, there are truckers out on Georgia’s highways who are too exhausted to drive safely. Some of them will likely seriously injure others in a truck accident due to lack of sleep.
Effects and signs of driving without enough sleep
Many experts compare drowsy driving to drunk driving for the effects it has on the motorist’s ability to drive safely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lack of sleep can affect:
- Concentration
- Reaction time
- Judgment
Drivers need all of these mental skills to be in peak condition to avoid accidents. Signs that a truck driver is too tired to be on the road include:
- Drifting out of their lane
- Drifting onto the shoulder
- Missing their exit
- Frequent yawning and blinking
- Having no memory of the previous few miles
As someone in a nearby passenger vehicle, you may not know that a truck driver is drowsy or dozing off until it is too late. A massive semi-truck can cause tremendous damage to a car, truck or SUV — not to mention the harm your body could suffer.
Find Out If You Have Been The Victim of A Negligent Trucking Company
If a truck driver made an error that caused a wreck, their employee could be legally responsible, such as a trucking company negligence case. We suggest you speak with an Atlanta truck accident attorney who focuses on trucking accidents to learn more about your particular case.
At the McArthur Law Firm, we have 8 in-house attorneys who specialize in trucking accidents in Georgia. We have represented our clients as their dump truck accident lawyer, farm vehicle accident lawyer, car crash lawyer, and pedestrian accident lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Georgia, call us today to see what kind of compensation and/or punitive damages you may be owed.
