All motorists have a duty to safely operate their vehicles when on public roads. Of course, this includes following all posted traffic signs as well as following the written traffic laws of whatever jurisdiction they happen to be driving in. Not only does this general duty apply to truck drivers, but also a heightened duty applies in many situations.
One of the situations in which truck drivers are held to higher expectations is when it comes to drowsy driving. Truck drivers are required by state and federal laws to document the amount of time they spend on the road, as well as the amount of time they spend resting. This is in order to keep tabs on truck drivers’ total number of hours on the road, in the hope of reducing serious or fatal truck accidents caused by drowsy driving.
Truck drivers are incentivized by their employers to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible. Many truck drivers are paid per mile, and the quicker they get to their destination, the quicker they can turn around, load up, and make another profitable trip. However, being on the road for countless hours on end is naturally taxing on a driver, and a driver’s awareness, judgment, and ability to stay awake and safely operate their vehicle is greatly compromised after a while.
Sleep Deprivation a Factor in Virginia Tanker-Truck Accident
Earlier this month, a tanker-truck was involved in a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 64 in Albemarle County. According to one local news source reporting on the incident, the accident occurred at mid-day on the westbound portion of the highway. Fortunately, the truck’s tank was empty, or hazmat concerns would have been an issue.
Evidently, the truck veered off the roadway and into the median, flipping onto its side. Thankfully, no other cars or trucks were involved in the accident, and the driver of the truck was not injured. One of the first emergency response team members on the scene told reporters that it seemed as though the driver of the truck had either dozed off while behind the wheel or lost consciousness due to some other reason.
Police are conducting an investigation into the accident, but at the time of the report’s publication, it was not clear if the driver will face any charges for his role in causing the accident.
Have You Been Involved in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Sometimes the exact cause of an accident is not readily apparent in the moments after the accident. This may be because those involved are shaken up or do not immediately recall what led up to the accident. However, after a thorough investigation, fault is almost always able to be determined. If you believe you were the victim of a truck driver’s negligence, call 410-654-3600 to speak with a dedicated personal injury attorney at the Maryland and Washington, D.C. law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers.
More Blog Posts:
State Supreme Court Holds “School Activity Bus” Is Not Considered a “School Bus” for Purposes of Governmental Immunity, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published February 17, 2016.
Court Upholds Verdict Against Trucking Company in Fatal Amtrak Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published February 3, 2016.