While truckers have mandated breaks and an allotted number of hours they can drive per day, those rules do not guarantee that they are always alert enough to drive.
Like anyone else, truckers have the occasional bad night's sleep. They come down with colds. They may even have physical conditions that cause restless nights.
Trucker fatigue contributes to thousands of truck crashes every year. If you or a family member have been injured in a Maryland trucking accident, trucker fatigue may have been a contributing factor.
Sleep apnea affects truck drivers.
In addition to general fatigue, trucking sleep apnea has recently become an issue of concern for the commercial truck driving industry. A 2002 study showed that nearly one-third of all truck drivers have some form of sleep apnea.
Unfortunately, it may take a serious Maryland tractor-trailer crash for the company or driver to realize the severity of the truck driver's sleep disorder.
Even if the company or driver had not realized the severity of the truck driver's sleep disorder, it does not absolve them from responsibility in causing your injuries. You still have the right to sue for damages, and an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney can help you fight for that right.
Some drivers ignore the rules.
There are rules that govern how many hours a trucker can drive each day and what breaks he/she must have in between shifts or jobs.
However, the driver may intentionally bend the rules to make a deadline. This is particularly true of drivers who are on a job-by-job contract; the quicker they get to their destination, the quicker they can get to another job and make more money.
These rules are in place for a reason. It is dangerous and illegal for a driver to ignore the laws governing their driving. "To make my deadline" is not an excuse that will stand up in court.
If your injuries were caused by sleep apnea, rule breaking, or other issues related to fatigue, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Nickelsporn & Lundin can help. Call 1-800-875-9700 today or fill out a form online.