6 Tips to Help Commercial Truckers Avoid Drowsy Driving Accidents

Driving a commercial truck is a risky business. Not only are 18 wheelers heavy and difficult to handle, but there is also the ever-present possibility of crashing.

Although there are countless factors that contribute to truck accidents, drowsy driving is a common culprit. Truckers spend long shifts on the road – often at night and during times when they would normally sleep.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 6,000 fatal crashes happen every year due to tired drivers. A disproportionate number of these collisions involve commercial truckers.

If you were injured by a truck driver in Texas, turn to the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is a personal-injury attorney in Longview who will help you claim compensation for medical bills, lost wages and non-economic damages.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about truck accident injury claims in Texas.

6 Tips to Prevent Drowsy Driving Crashes

The National Sleep Foundation has found that sleepiness can impair driving performance as much as or more so than alcohol. More than 40 percent of drivers report having fallen asleep behind the wheel.

Planning ahead is the best way to avoid drowsiness. These six tips are particularly effective for preventing fatigue-related accidents:

Eat properly. Poor nutrition will sap your energy levels and cause drowsiness;
Get six to eight hours of sleep;
Exercise to improve your stamina;
Manage your time. If you are running late, you might be tempted to drive for too many hours;
Avoid alcohol. Although drinking affects everyone differently, alcohol causes drowsiness for most people; and
Schedule regular stops. Taking a break every two hours will help you avoid fatigue.

How Can Passenger Vehicle Drivers Reduce Their Risk of Getting in Truck Accidents?

Commercial big rigs require longer stopping distances, and passenger vehicles can easily disappear in their blind spots. Large trucks are not as agile as smaller cars, so they cannot react to unexpected hazards as quickly. Also, 18 wheelers need wide angles to turn, so they often enter adjacent lanes to do so.

It is critical that passenger vehicle drivers know how to anticipate the actions of commercial trucks. These four tips will help you avoid truck accidents:

If a truck is following you too closely, then let it pass;
Minimize the amount of time you drive in trucks’ blind spots;
If you notice that a truck ahead is turning, then expect the driver to enter your lane; and
Do not cut off trucks, or change lanes in front of them and brake suddenly.

If you were injured in a truck wreck, contact a Longview personal-injury attorney from the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident lawyer who will help you pursue the maximum settlement. If your case goes to trial, Mr. Cooper has the litigation experience and resources to represent your interests in court. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.