Personal Injury Law Blog

Have you even been sleepy while driving to work in the morning? Have you ever found yourself yawning during the last few hours of a long road trip? Like most people, you probably answered those questions in the affirmative. Almost every driver has experienced exhaustion while behind the wheel at some point.

There is a big difference between being a little tired and being too sleepy to drive safely. Knowing the difference between these two things is important, especially for truck drivers. A fatigued truck driver is a danger to everyone on the road, significantly increasing the chance that an accident will occur. Truckers should be willing and able to recognize the signs that they may not be in a state where they can safely drive a big rig. 

Large trucks and semitrailers play a large role in the American economy. They are responsible for the transportation of various types of goods and products across the country. Because of the large size and weight of these vehicles, the men and women who drive them have a special responsibility to be safe and aware while they are behind the wheel.

You know that distracted driving plays a large role in the number of car accidents in Illinois and across the country. Distraction is particularly dangerous when the distracted individual is driving a semitrailer or large truck, but it does not represent the only issue that causes accidents. It may surprise you to learn that a person can be looking at the road and still not be completely attentive or notice hazards until it is too late.

Being a passenger in a vehicle can be freeing in some ways. You don't necessarily have to pay attention to the traffic, you can use your phone and you could even fall asleep if you want to do so. However, it also puts you in a precarious position since you completely rely on other drivers to keep you safe.

You may agree with other motorists who believe that staying safe is especially important around 18-wheelers. The size and weight of these vehicles makes them a formidable presence on Illinois's roadways. You probably already know that factors such as distraction, impairment and fatigue contribute to a large number of these accidents, but other, lesser-known factors also contribute to a large number of crashes involving trucks.

Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Some of them may not be directly under a truck driver's control, such as weather, unexpected mechanical issues or other drivers on the road. However, many factors leading to these crashes are within the control of the driver.

For instance, failing to get adequate rest could lead to a serious or deadly accident. Even if a driver remains within his or her hours of service, that doesn't preclude the possibility that the driver was too tired to safely operate a big rig.