Many of our port cities in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island are major hubs of importing, exporting and transporting goods to businesses all over the U.S.. Because of this, commercial trucks make up a great deal of our highway traffic, which means our area has an increased risk of commercial truck accidents due to distracted driving, drowsy driving and other factors.
Distracted Driving & Commercial Truck Accidents
Truck drivers spend long hours alone on the road which can lead drivers to want to multitask. One of the most common causes of trucker distracted driving is operating a mobile device while at the wheel. Talking on the phone, texting, looking at web content, or even entering directions into a GPS system are all enough for a driver to take their eyes off the road.
The most common causes of Distracted Driving are:
- Smartphones / Tablets
- Eating / Drinking
- Tinkering (with the radio, GPS or other technology)
Causes of Trucker Fatigue
Truckers work long hours to try to make their deadlines and they sometimes push the limits of their ability to stay awake. Drowsy driving due to trucker fatigue is no joke. A truck accident involving a tired trucker and a 40 ton rig can be a deadly combination. Many truckers are unable to tell when they are too tired to drive safely.
These are some causes of truck driver fatigue:
- Lack of restful sleep
- Driving too many hours consecutively
- Deadlines and Quotas
- Drug Use
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created the Hours of Service regulations to help to ensure that long distance truck drivers don’t suffer from driver fatigue. This doesn’t mean that truckers and trucking companies won’t continue to push those limits to make quotas.
Contact An Experienced New Bedford Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents can have life-changing consequences for victims and their families. Medical expenses and lost wages often create financial hardships that endure for years, especially if you are unable to return to the same level of work that you did before. You should contact a lawyer who knows about the federal trucking regulations as soon as possible. Please contact The Law Offices of Dussault & Zatir for more info or legal assistance.
*The above is not to be considered as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws which apply may differ from state to state.
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