When someone has a medical emergency behind the wheel, it’s very dangerous for themselves and others on the road. When that emergency happens while they’re driving a semitruck, the danger to others increases tremendously. A semi can weigh 80,000 pounds. When a vehicle like that goes out of control, it can do a considerable amount of harm before it finally stops.
You have likely heard that truck driver fatigue is among the biggest issues facing modern semi drivers. It can lead to poor decision-making, slow reaction times and drivers falling asleep behind the wheel.
That is undoubtedly a problem, but the lack of sleep may be even more dangerous than most people realize. According to the National Sleep Foundation, people who tend to sleep for under six hours have twice the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The risk drops off again for those who sleep at least eight hours per night. Part of the reason for this increased risk, they note, is that sleep can “exacerbate other health conditions, including high blood pressure.”
So when drivers try to work too hard and stay up too late, not only are they fatigued and exhausted behind the wheel. However, they are actually more likely to have a serious medical emergency. This, just like nodding off while driving, can cause an accident that puts other people in the hospital.
If you are injured by a semi driver, you could face high medical bills and many other costs. Make sure that you know what steps you can take to seek financial compensation.