Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Driver Fatigue”?
A:
Driver Fatigue, also referred to as drowsy driving, is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, especially for semi-trucks and 18-wheelers. Driving Fatigue occurs when the driver of a car is overtired, which slows reaction time and often leads to swerving into other lanes, medians, guard rails, or other cars/trucks on the road.
It is estimated that over 100,000 driver fatigue accidents occur yearly in the United States, although many drowsy driving accidents go unreported due to lack of evidence or an unwillingness on the part of the sleepy driver to admit their negligence caused a serious or fatal car accident.
Trucks and Driver Fatigue
While anyone is capable of driving while overtired and falling asleep at the wheel, driver fatigue is especially common for truck drivers who spend long hours on the road, often late at night. Considering the size of semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, even a minor collision can easily result in excessive damage to cars and serious or fatal injuries. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board reports that over 50% of truck drivers have admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, making driver fatigue a likely factor in many of the 5,000 truck accident fatalities that occur each year in the US.
Causes of Driver Fatigue
*Overwork
*Sleep loss
*Interrupted Sleep
*Chronic Insomnia, or inadequate nightly sleep
*Medication
*Alcohol or other drugs
If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a driver fatigue accident, it is important to contact an attorney right away who can advise you on your legal rights and options. The Kiley Law Group, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case – 1-888-208-1695.
