As the name suggests, large trucks are bigger and heavier than everything else on the road. That can be a problem for drivers in Texas, should they have an accident involving one. One of the biggest problems in the trucking industry is driver fatigue. Although there are limits on the number of miles and hours drivers can log in a day, drowsy driving can be an issue for many other reasons.
Causes of drowsy driving
Fatigue isn’t just caused by long work hours. Contributing factors can include sleep disorders, medications or irregular shifts. Even healthy drivers may fall into highway hypnosis at times. This is when people’s senses are dulled by the repetitive nature of highway driving. Highway hypnosis may lead to falling asleep behind the wheel. To combat this issue, drivers can do things like open a window, keep the air conditioning on, sing along with the radio and make it a point to stop every 2-3 hours.
Effects of drowsy driving
The biggest effect of driving while fatigued is a lapse in attention. Some truck drivers admit to falling asleep behind the wheel. Not being able to react to changes or hazards on the road is a huge factor in motor vehicle accidents. Even for truckers who stay awake, reaction times are slower when people are drowsy. Studies show that the effect can be similar to driving while drunk. This should be very concerning to regulators and other drivers.
If you’re involved in a truck accident
If you have a collision involving a large truck, there are some steps you should take. The first is to report it, both to the police and your insurance company. Gather evidence by taking photos of any damage. Get checked out medically, even if you feel fine. Sometimes, concussions and internal bleeding aren’t immediately apparent.
Finally, consider contacting an attorney. A lawyer may be able to help you get the best deal from an insurance company. The lawyer may be able to negotiate with bodies like the trucking company and police department to ensure that evidence is preserved.