Being a truck driver can entail working long and exhausting hours and being isolated on the road for several days or hours at a time, with no opportunity to recuperate or see family and friends. Being in a truck accident can kill the income of an entire family.

Health Issues are Common Problems

One of the drawbacks of being a truck driver is the increased risk of health problems connected with extra shifts and sedentary behavior. Because of their long hours and lifestyle, truck drivers are at risk of hypertension, obesity, and other cardiovascular illnesses.

A truck driver might be diabetic or have other health issues as a result of not being able to cook nutritious food, for instance.

Many truck drivers may suffer from musculoskeletal issues due to sitting for extended periods, such as back and neck difficulties, which can make driving challenging and painful.

A truck driver’s psychological issues and stress might also have an effect. Schedules can be harsh, and even when taking sufficient breaks, lengthy hours on the road in congested traffic can be stressful.

With regard to a truck driver, it’s not just about being on the road and physically driving that might be harmful. Lifting crates, containers, or goods causes injury to truck drivers as well. Other occupational hazards are slips, falls, and trips while on the job.

Driving over the speed limit also has a big impact on how dangerous driving these vehicles are. It is self-evident that truck driving is a hazardous form of transportation that can lead to a high rate of fatalities.

Are There Dangers for Other Drivers?

A truck driver suffering from health issues or weariness due to a demanding schedule and lengthy hours is a hazard to not only themself but also to other drivers and passengers.

According to the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA), most truck and other large commercial vehicle accidents (such as delivery trucks) are caused by human error. Frequently, driver drowsiness or tiredness is a fault.

The Statistics Don’t Lie

Stats also indicate that drivers impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause a significant percentage of accidents. Many drivers may experience a sudden medical incident, such as a heart attack, rendering them unable to handle their vehicle, perhaps resulting in catastrophic results.

Truck drivers are prone to depression and might become addicted to alcohol or narcotics or take prescriptions that impair their driving ability. These are a few of the riskiest aspects of truck driving.

A few of the causes of trucking accidents are directly tied to health risks and truck driving job hazards. Being on the road for long hours is probably the leading cause of these fatal accidents.

As a result, truck drivers’ working conditions, lifestyle, and other health problems may cause accidents that endanger their health and lives. But also the health and lives of other road users, such as car drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Accidents involving large, heavy trucks or commercial vehicles usually result in fatalities for the truck driver and other road users. Per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), passenger vehicle occupants are killed in most truck-related crashes, and one of every four fatal accidents on the road is caused by trucks.

Driver Fatigue and Safety

Driver fatigue is caused by various circumstances, including continually changing sleep cycles and being unable to relax efficiently in public settings owing to distractions. Truck driving is physically demanding, and there will always be a risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. This has the possible consequence of affecting your job status.

To earn money, the professional driver must keep moving. On the other hand, state governments can cooperate with businesses to address a few concerns for the benefit of drivers. The existing drive and rest requirements do not appear to encourage restful sleep for truckers, and adjustments to these laws would aid truckers in getting more sleep. Moreover, there are other things that states can do to help with the problem of driver weariness and distracted driving.

States and the federal government can promote the construction of more truck stops. Drivers claim that they can sleep easier in these locations since there is better parking and less fear of crime. Public rest spots only give drivers two or three hours of relaxation before forcing them to go. Extending the time commercial, professional drivers can stay at a rest area for four hours might assist, and it is inexpensive to execute.

States must make public rest spots safer for vehicles that stop there to rest. Several drivers claim that these areas have high crime rates or other illegal activities.

Larger parking areas and increased truck parking places are required at rest locations. Creating alternate parking spots for trucks that can park in current spaces might help alleviate the issue.

Non-fatal Injuries to Truck Drivers

Non-fatal injuries are more common among truck drivers than in any other occupation. According to one state study, drivers are 233% more likely than other workers to suffer a non-fatal workplace injury. Most of these appear to be back injuries, which could result from heavy lifting after lengthy durations of sitting. Furthermore, the majority of these injuries occur when owner-operators unload their trucks.

It’s worth mentioning that many other non-fatal injuries occur in warehousing situations, with truckers frequently being hit by machinery or falling and hurting themselves. Exhausted workers, who must unload a truck in an unknown location while also dealing with strangers, appear to have a role in the high frequency of mishaps.

The trucking industry is possibly the only dangerous job that can legitimately claim to be the country’s lifeblood. The US people rely on the small business owners who keep the trucks on the road, and state governments must do their part to promote driver safety.

States can’t do it alone; driver groups and trucking businesses must also enhance truckers’ working conditions. Although trucking will always be dangerous, improving working conditions and safety can reduce job turnover.

Contact Ehline Law Firm About Dangerous Truck Driving Jobs and Driver Safety Issues

You may be entitled to substantial compensation if you have been involved or injured in a truck accident. Whether you were hurt while on duty as the truck driver or the crash was caused by another driver, you should speak with a premier California truck accident lawyer without delay.

Proving responsibility or fault in any mishap can be challenging, whether work-related or not. Drivers getting in an accident with their trucks may be responsible.

Trucking companies might be negligent if they fail to maintain the vehicles to a high standard, resulting in an incident caused by no fault of the driver’s own, rendering them unable to work or seriously, for example.

Don’t blow the statute to sue. Contact Ehline Law Firm at (213) 596-9642 if you have any inquiries about significant truck accidents. We can give you a free consultation if you want to understand more about the legal issues of truck accidents or truck driving.