How Driver Fatigue in Trucking Can Lead to Serious Accidents

Truck drivers often work long and irregular hours and experience driver fatigue. This impairs their ability to operate trucks safely and leads to slowed reaction times, decreased awareness, and poor decision-making, increasing the risks of accidents.

Given these vehicles’ sheer size and weight, truck accidents often result in severe injuries. However, if the accident was someone else’s fault, you can file a claim to get compensated for all costs related to the accident. Here, we’ll explore common causes of driver fatigue and the steps you should take if you’re involved in an accident with a fatigued driver in Indiana.

The Impact of Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue significantly impairs several aspects of driving performance, making it more likely to cause an accident. Typically, fatigued drivers present the following symptoms:

• Decreased awareness of surroundings: Fatigued drivers are less likely to notice important visual cues, such as traffic signals, pedestrians, or changing road conditions.
• Slower reaction time: Tiredness compromises drivers’ ability to respond quickly to sudden changes, such as a car stopping abruptly or an obstacle in the road.
• Impaired decision-making: Fatigue dulls cognitive functions and leads to poor decisions, such as misjudging distances or failing to adhere to traffic laws.
• Increased likelihood of missing critical signals or signs: Drowsy drivers are also prone to missing or misinterpreting road signs, signals, or warnings.

How Many Accidents Are Caused by Driver Fatigue?

According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving is a factor in approximately 91,000 police-reported crashes each year, resulting in 50,000 injuries and 800 fatalities (source).

Furthermore, these incidents account for about 1% to 2% of all crashes, injuries, and deaths on the road. It’s important to emphasize the need for prevention, as serious accidents leave victims and their families to cope with potential life-altering injuries, significant medical costs, and emotional trauma.

Common Causes of Driver Fatigue

• Lack of sleep: One of the most common causes of fatigue is simply not getting enough rest. Overworked and pressured by tight deadlines, truck drivers’ fatigue rises.
• Long hours on the road: Long hours on the road without adequate breaks greatly increase the risk of accidents. This is why Indiana’s trucking laws include the Hours of Service (HoS) regulations, enforcing drivers to take necessary breaks.
• Irregular work schedules: Many truck drivers work irregular hours, disrupting their natural sleep cycles and leading to chronic fatigue.
• Monotonous tasks and long drives: The repetitive nature of long-distance driving can cause drivers to become bored and fatigued, increasing the risk of accidents.

Make sure you report truck safety violations you notice, even if it’s after a truck accident. Doing so strengthens your compensation case, holds responsible parties accountable, and helps prevent future accidents. By taking action, you protect your rights and contribute to making the roads safer for everyone.

Steps to Take When a Distracted Driver Hits You in Indiana

After an accident caused by a distracted or fatigued driver in Indiana, there are several things you could do to support your potential legal claim:

1. Call emergency services and seek medical attention: Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, get medical help right away. Some injuries don’t manifest immediately.
2. Document the scene with photos and notes: Take pictures of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, damages, and any visible injuries. Also, write down your recollections of the event while they’re still fresh.
3. Gather contact information from witnesses: Witnesses can provide crucial testimony to support your case. Collect their names and phone numbers to contact them later if necessary.
4. Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance provider promptly. Provide accurate information but avoid admitting fault or making any statements about liability without speaking with a lawyer first.
5. Contact a personal injury attorney: An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process, help you understand your rights, and work to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

You Have the Right to Pursue Compensation if a Distracted Driver Caused Injuries or Property Damage

If a fatigued or distracted driver caused you injuries or property damage, you have the legal right to seek compensation. In Indiana, this compensation covers a range of losses depending on the case’s specifics, such as:

• Medical expenses: This includes all medical costs related to your injury, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
• Rehabilitation costs: If you require ongoing physical or occupational therapy, compensation can cover these necessary treatments.
• Lost wages: If your injury prevents you from working, you can claim compensation for the income lost during your recovery.
• Property damage: Compensation can cover repairs or replacement of your vehicle or other damaged property.
• Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.

To recover compensation after a truck accident, you need to navigate the diverse steps in a personal injury lawsuit. This includes investigating the case, gathering evidence, consulting medical experts, calculating damages, handling paperwork, negotiating with insurers, or litigating in court if necessary.

At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, our experienced attorneys manage every aspect of this process to build a strong case on your behalf. We’ve secured multi-million dollar settlements for injured victims and their families in Indiana (as demonstrated by our case results), and we’re ready to do the same for you. 

Talk With a Personal Injury Attorney at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell

If you’ve suffered a driver fatigue-related accident in Indiana, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. Consulting with a personal injury attorney will help you understand your rights, the best legal strategies to follow for your specific case, and the potential compensation available to you.

At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we bring over 30 years of experience recovering substantial settlements for injured individuals across Indiana. We’ve successfully handled various types of cases, not only truck accidents but also motorcycle and car accident cases. 

Our expert team can manage every legal aspect of your claim, from the initial consultation to the final resolution. To know more about how we can help, contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and remember: there are no fees unless we win your case.