Driving massive trucks all day can be stressful for many people. It is not uncommon for some truck drivers to drive longer than they are supposed to, which can lead to drowsy driving. Stress and drowsiness can tempt some truck drivers to neglect certain traffic laws, which is what most often leads to reckless driving.
Learning to recognize the signs of a reckless truck driver may help prevent you from experiencing a car accident. However, if you have experienced a motor vehicle accident and believe the other driver might be at fault, then a Tennessee auto accident lawyer may be able to help you.
Statistics for Truck Driver Violations
There are thousands of cases of truck driver traffic violations which lead to car accidents. 28,770 truck drivers were found with lane restriction violations, 9,741 were tailgating other vehicles, and 16,299 drove at least 15 miles over the speed limit. These actions may seem harmless at first, but one mistake can lead to serious consequences.
To spot a reckless driver, you need to look for swerving, speeding, and trucks that follow other cars or you too closely. Also look out for trucks that make sharp turns, who do not use turn signals, and who ignore poor weather conditions. Rain, sleet, and snow often make roads slippery, which can cause wrecks when people fail to take precautions while driving.
Swerving into other lanes could mean the truck driver is distracted with an electronic device, like a phone or GPS. This could also mean the driver is driving while sleep deprived, otherwise known as drowsy driving.
Recognizing Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is common amongst truck drivers who work longer than the usual limit of 8-11 hours a day. The brain becomes dull and unresponsive during periods of extreme drowsiness. A sleep-deprived person can easily zone out and accidentally pass into the wrong lane or miss a stoplight. Driving at night only makes this worse because darkness signals the brain to release natural hormones that induce sleep, like melatonin.
Signs to watch for when it comes to drowsy driving include drivers veering into the other lane, hitting rumble strips on the shoulders, or braking for no apparent reason. These commonly happen because sleepiness has the tendency to slow reflexes, reduce attention, and impair decision making. Impaired decision making can lead to unexpected last-minute turns. A driver will reveal this by braking suddenly at an intersection or attempting a U-turn.
Car Accident Lawyer in Tennessee
If you have suffered serious personal injuries from a truck accident, let us help you! You can talk to your insurance company about compensation for your injuries or vehicle damage, but not all of them will offer you a fair deal. An experienced lawyer may be able to help you receive enough compensation to cover the majority of your expenses from the accident.
