Eighteen-Wheeler Accidents Lawyers in Jefferson City

Semi-trucks are all over the roadways. These large trucks transport goods throughout Missouri and to other states across the country. While these trucks are essential for commerce and the economy, they can cause deadly accidents.

It can be nerve-wracking to drive next to semi-trucks, and for good reason. These vehicles have blind spots all around, which can make it difficult for truck drivers to see other vehicles. This makes crashes more likely to occur. Semi-trucks can be as much as 20 times larger than passenger vehicles, and the combined weight of the cab and cargo is much greater than that of a passenger vehicle. When these two types of vehicles collide, horrible things can happen. Unfortunately, it is often the occupants of the passenger vehicle who suffer the worst injuries because they are more exposed than the driver of the truck.

Truck crashes can result in multiple damages, including injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Recovering a fair settlement or award in these types of accidents can be very complex, though, which is why it’s important to call the truck accident lawyers at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. for legal help.

Truck Accident Fatigue

Despite hours of service regulations, truck drivers are often pressured by trucking companies to drive for long hours. Because of this, fatigue is not uncommon. In fact, while driver fatigue is difficult to measure and document, studies have found that fatigue accounts for about 30-40 percent of truck accidents. Truck drivers often work at times when they should be sleeping. Getting too little sleep over a number of days can cause a sleep debt, which can lead to fatigue after several days.

Long hauls, nighttime driving, irregular hours, and tight schedules with insufficient time to recover can cause fatigue quickly. Physical factors such as poor health and fitness can also make a driver more susceptible to fatigue. Stress and other emotional issues can also cause fatigue. A sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, for example, could cause a truck driver to feel tired during the day.

Fatigue can happen even during the day and come about without warning. All motorists—not just truck drivers—may experience tiredness while driving. Some signs include:

• Tailgating
• Changing lanes or braking for no reason
• Shifting in your seat
• Need for fresh air
• Jerking the steering wheel to stay in your lane
• Drifting onto the shoulder
• Driving on the white lines
• Burning eyes
• Eyes that are closing or going out of focus
• Wandering thoughts
• Excessive use of coffee, energy drinks, or soda to stay awake
• Memory problems

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents are often fatal. Those who survive often must live with long-term or lifelong injuries. Medical bills can be expensive, and ongoing care may be required, so getting the compensation you need to pay for these expenses and other damages is critical.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, seek legal help right away. The truck accident lawyers at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. are available to help you recover the compensation you need for injuries and other damages. Contact us to schedule a consultation.