New York truck accident attorneys know that truck drivers who travel great distances may be prone to fatigue and risk causing truck accidents. This is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the number of hours a driver is allowed behind the wheel.
However, the Doctor’s Lounge reported on September 5, 2012 that a new study seems to indicate that commercial truck drivers may downplay symptoms of sleep apnea. This condition interrupts sleep because of breathing difficulties. As a result, sufferers may experience daytime drowsiness, which may impair their ability to operate a vehicle safely.
With the fear of losing their licenses, truck drivers not only ignore their symptoms, but they also may not receive proper treatment for the condition. This may present dangers to the driver as well as to other drivers who share the road.
Fatigue isn’t the only cause of truck accidents, however. Some of the other factors that can contribute to a truck accident include lack of training, speeding, driving under the influence and an unsecured load.
Truck drivers may not be the only ones liable in an accident. Trucking companies, independent contractors and manufacturers of defective equipment also could be liable. To learn if you are entitled to pursue compensation for the injuries you suffered in a truck accident, contact a New York truck accident attorney at Gacovino, Lake & Associates at 1-800-246-HURT (4878).
