In 2015, it was estimated that approximately 5,000 people within the entire U.S. lost their lives due to fatal collisions involving fatigued drivers. Drowsy driving is one of the most catastrophic types of actions that take place on our roads due to the fact that it alters a person’s perception of the roads around them and can impact their reaction times. Unfortunately, because truck drivers are sometimes pushed to work long hours at their jobs, they are most likely to engage in fatigued driving than most other parties.

Because trucks are one of the largest vehicles on our roadways, they are more likely to cause catastrophic results when an accident occurs than any other type of vehicle. This is why drivers are always urged to get plenty of rest and laws dictate how long truck drivers can actually spend on the roads. There are many ways that a driver can show that a truck driver was fatigued at the time of an accident so that they can get started on protecting their rights.

Evidence of Drowsy Driving in Truck Accidents 

Police Report: The initial police report is one of the most important aspects that is viewed in a truck accident case. Police officers are trained to be able to recognize when a driver is exhausted and should not have been driving on the roadway by looking for signs of bloodshot eyes or falling asleep at the wheel. Police will note these actions in their report.

Time of Accident: Depending on the time of day when the accident took place, there are certain times when accidents are more likely to occur. When these accidents happen in the early morning hours, it means that a truck driver was likely driving all night. Drivers are urged to take breaks at certain times but truck drivers and their companies do not always abide by these laws, even if it is for the safety of others.

Personal Logbooks: Drivers keep personal notes inside logbooks, which can point to the reality of a drowsy driving situation at times. These logbooks are often viewed after an accident and might reveal how long a driver has been on the road.

Black Boxes: Black boxes, which are installed on vehicles as in-vehicle tracking technology, can reveal a lot about a driver. In fact, these tracking devices, which are used by most companies today, will show how long a truck was in motion. Somebody will be able to confirm the number of hours a truck was driving on a particular day, which can show that a driver did not actually sleep as long as they should have.

Medical History: Medical problems can often cause drowsiness on the roads as well. If a person is proven to not be medically fit to be operating a vehicle because of drowsiness or medication, then this can point to a fault.

After You Have Been Injured in a Florida Truck Accident 

Being injured in a truck accident might be one of the most devastating things that you have ever endured. There are many ways that you can show that another party is at fault for your accident, but this is not always easy to do on your own. As such, you should have the skilled help of a truck accident attorney at Sheftall & Associates fighting to protect your rights. If you need help with your claim and proving a party liable for your damages, please contact our accident attorneys for the help you deserve at 904-647-2296.