Why Truck Driver Fatigue Can Lead to Serious Virginia Traffic Accidents

Our Richmond truck accident attorneys at Wind Law LLC, know truck driver fatigue can lead to serious traffic accidents in Virginia for several reasons.

Here, we discuss how drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving, and when a semi-truck driver is potentially carrying 80,000 pounds, a resulting crash can be catastrophic.

Demanding Schedules That Lead to Long Hours on the Road

Truck drivers often have demanding schedules that require them to spend long hours on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has regulations governing the hours of service (HOS) a truck driver can work a day and a week, but compliance is not always guaranteed.

Fatigue can occur when drivers push themselves to meet tight delivery schedules or when their employers place profits over safety and encourage them to violate the HOS guidelines.

Inadequate Rest Impairs Judgment

Truck drivers may not always get adequate rest between shifts. Sleep deprivation can lead to impaired cognitive function, reduced reaction time, and impaired judgment, all of which increase the risk of accidents.

Some truck drivers may suffer from sleep disorders like sleep apnea, which can lead to chronic fatigue. These conditions may go undiagnosed or untreated, exacerbating the risk of fatigue-related accidents.

Monotonous Driving Conditions

Long stretches of highway with monotonous scenery can contribute to driver fatigue. The hypnotic effect of repetitive driving can cause a driver’s attention to wander, leading to lapses in concentration.

Use of Stimulants

Some truck drivers may turn to stimulants such as caffeine or prescription drugs to combat fatigue. While these substances can temporarily mask fatigue, they do not address the underlying problem and may lead to impaired decision-making or crash risk when they wear off.

Impaired Alertness and Reflexes

Fatigue can impair a driver’s alertness and reflexes, making reacting quickly to changing road conditions or sudden obstacles more challenging. This increases the likelihood of accidents.

Increased Risk of Falling Asleep at the Wheel

Severe fatigue can cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel, leading to a complete loss of control and devastating accidents, often involving multiple vehicles.

Reduced Ability to Control a Large Vehicle

Trucks are much larger and heavier than most other vehicles on the road. Fatigue can impair a driver’s ability to maintain control over such a large vehicle, leading to accidents with severe consequences.

In response to the dangers associated with truck driver fatigue, federal and state regulations, including those in Virginia, have been implemented to limit the number of hours a driver can be on the road, require rest breaks, and promote compliance with sleep and rest recommendations.

These regulations are designed to reduce the risk of fatigue-related accidents. Technology like electronic logging devices (ELDs) have also been employed to monitor and enforce compliance with hours-of-service rules.

Consult an Experienced Truck Accident Injury Attorney

If you are involved in a truck accident in Virginia and suspect that truck driver fatigue played a role, contact our dedicated Richmond commercial truck accident and injury attorney today to schedule a free consultation to investigate the circumstances of the accident, determine liability, and help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.