When night rolls around, many of us in Virginia plan to turn in for the night and get some sleep. This is not the case for everyone though, as some individuals work during the nighttime hours. Some even drive during the late hours of the night for work. In some industries, such as the trucking industry, it is necessary to travel at night to get shipments delivered on time. The concern with this, like any driver traveling late at night or on little sleep, is that a truck driver will get drowsy behind the wheel or even fall asleep.
According to current studies, everyone needs roughly seven or more hours of sleep per night. Nonetheless, research found that more than one-third of people do not get enough sleep. When an individual does not get enough sleep, not only does this pose health risks, but it also increases a person’s chance of getting in a car or truck crash when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
The best way to stop fatigued driving in the trucking industry is for drivers, managers and trucking companies to understand the dangers of not getting enough sleep. In fact, even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded the definition of impaired driving to include not only drunk driving but also drugged, distracted and drowsy driving. Drowsy driving is known as a hidden but deadly epidemic. While federal trucking regulations have been passed to better address this concern, it still remains an issue on the roadways.
Following a truck accident, it is important to consider the cause of the crash. By uncovering the cause, liability could be established. When a negligent truck driver was the cause, it is possible to take steps to hold that driver accountable. This may mean filing a personal injury claim to apply liability and to pursue compensation for the damages and losses suffered in the truck accident.