Drowsy Truck Driver Accident Lawyer in West Houston

Fatigue Causes Drivers to Fall Asleep

Driving while tired is dangerous and can have serious consequences. When someone nods off behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, they present a huge risk to themselves and those around them. In 2017 alone, drowsy driving took 795 lives. 

While no law can prohibit drowsy driving directly, drivers can still be held legally responsible for their actions. They can even be held financially responsible and pay damages to the victims of the crash.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, The Stephens Law Firm, an experienced West Houston auto wreck attorney, is here to help you carry out your case.

Economic Consequences of Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving has become one of the leading causes of truck accidents in the United States. There are over 100,000 police-reported accidents because of this annually and over 1,500 deaths. If you have lost a loved one due to drowsy driving, contact a West Houston negligent death law firm. These crashes can also cause a major financial strain on the economy. $12.5 billion is lost every year due to drowsy drivers. Unfortunately, this type of accident still occurs every day. 

Proving that a driver was tired at the time of an accident is difficult to prove. Unlike drunk driving accidents, drowsy truck wreck cases can be more complicated. Lawyers may have to collect evidence such as skid marks or witness testimony to get the settlement their client deserves. 

How to Prevent Drowsy Truck Accidents

Almost half of Americans admit to driving while drowsy. Many times, drivers know the risk of being fatigued behind the wheel but take the chance anyway. The best way to prevent drowsy truck accidents is by being aware of one’s surroundings and state of mind. 

Other ways to improve drowsy driving include:

• Getting enough sleep
• Avoid driving at night
• Share driving with a passenger on long trips
• Consume caffeine for short-term boosts in alertness
• Pullover at rest stops when feelings of drowsiness kick in
   

Commercial truck drivers are most likely to drive early in the morning or late at night. Unfortunately, due to limited wages and demand, they don’t take the safety precautions listed above, leading to accidents. 

Risks of Drowsiness Behind the Wheel

There are many risks at hand when someone gets behind the wheel while fatigued. Big truck drivers are more likely to drift into the wrong lane or cross a double yellow line if they are tired. The chances are higher for drowsy drivers due to their state of mind.

Moreover, attention spans are decreased when drivers of commercial trucks are tired, so drowsiness can greatly increase the risk of rear-end collisions. Since fatigued people typically cannot respond quickly enough behind the wheel, they are more likely to cause fatalities or serious injuries in a truck accident. 

West Houston Drowsy Driver Truck Accident Attorney

Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in West Houston

When you or a loved one get in a truck crash involving a drowsy driver, you need the right accident attorney. A driver of a big rig can cause major fatalities if they get behind the wheel while fatigued. 

Allow us to make a strong case on your behalf and prove that negligence was involved in your truck accident. A truck injury attorney in West Houston can help you! Call an experienced truck accident lawyers in West Houston today!