Motorists in the United States are constantly in danger due to the threat of semi truck accidents. Every year there are over 170,000 injuries and 5,000 fatalities caused by trucking accidents (Semi Truck Accident Victims Center). There has been an increase of truck accident fatalities by 14% since 2009 (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). One of the primary causes of trucking accidents is due to truck driver fatigue.
“The number one cause of commercial trucking accidents is truck driver error,” Scott Mann says, truck accident attorney. “Some truck drivers spend too many continuous hours on the road without stopping, or don’t get enough sleep which causes fatigue. This results in truck drivers who are unable to safely judge traffic conditions. They end up taking unnecessary risks and sometimes even fall asleep at the wheel.”
In order to make their deliveries on time, many truck drivers take dangerous risks. Truckers drive long distances without stopping for sleep, which results in driver fatigue. Over 20,000 injuries and 750 deaths are caused by truck driver fatigue every year (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
If you have been the victim of a trucking accident, contact our truck accident attorneys. Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys would be honored to help with your recovery!
On the New Jersey Turnpike, in the summer of 2014, a trucker violently crashed into the vehicle of actor/comedian Tracy Morgan. The semi truck was moving 20 miles over the speed limit at the time of the accident. Morgan suffered severe trauma to his brain and other injuries. His friend was killed instantly. The trucker responsible had allegedly been driving the previous 24 hours without sleep.
“Under current laws, commercial truck drivers are not allowed to operate their vehicle for more than 10 consecutive hours. They are then required to rest for at least 8 hours,” Scott says. “This means that fatigued truck drivers are able to drive 16 hours within a 24-hour time period. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has recently proposed longer required resting periods for drivers based on a 24-hour work/rest period, as opposed to the current 18-hour schedule.”
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