Drivers of commercial tractor trailers face long hours behind the wheel and if you’ve ever driven for an extended amount of time, you know how easily fatigue can set in. Unfortunately, driver fatigue is too often listed as one of the causes of truck accidents.
Fatigue was recently listed as the cause of a North Carolina truck accident when a driver dozed off to sleep while behind the wheel and drifted off the road. The crash happened in the southbound lanes of I-95 in Nash County on January 22.
The Consumerist states the driver told reporters he was tired and was attempting to reach a truck stop in Kenly when he left the roadway and struck a guardrail. The impact of the collision punctured the trailer of the vehicle and spilled the load of noodles that was being hauled along the highway.
Thankfully, no one was seriously injured as a result of the crash, but this outcome is atypical. That’s why there are laws governing the hours of operation and service for truck drivers. These laws regulate the amount of time truck drivers can be on the road during a given week and also establish mandatory rest periods. Unfortunately, not all drivers follow these rules.
If you’ve been injured in a North Carolina truck accident where driver fatigue may be a factor, the North Carolina personal injury attorneys at HensonFuerst Injury Lawyers suggest speaking with a legal representative about your rights as well as conducting a truck accident investigation. Doing so could help you get the compensation you deserve.
We are available to speak with you anytime about your legal needs by calling (866) 777-1170.