Truck driving is one of the most dangerous occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics mentions that truck drivers are not only injured on the road but can also suffer from overexertion or injuries resulting from contact with equipment.
The Dangers of Being a Truck DriverDriving a truck is potentially a dangerous occupation with accidents frequently claiming the lives of truck drivers or injuring them. Being a truck driver can mean long and tiring long hours as well as being isolated on the road for many days in a row without being able to enjoy adequate rest periods or seeing friends and family.
One side effect of being a truck driver is the susceptibility to health issues that are associated with long hours and being sedentary. Truck drivers can suffer from obesity, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases due to their lifestyle and long hours.
A truck driver may be diabetic or suffer from other health problems that are a result of not being able to prepare healthy food, for example.
Musculoskeletal injuries related to sitting for long periods of time, such as neck and back problems, can make driving painful and difficult for truck drivers.
Stress and psychological problems may also have an impact on a truck driver. Schedules can be unforgiving and even when utilizing appropriate rest periods, long hours on the road dealing with often heavy traffic can cause stress.
It is not only being on the road and actively driving that can be dangerous for a truck driver. Truck drivers also suffer from injuries as a result of lifting containers, boxes, or packages. Other occupational hazards include falls, slips, and trips while on duty.
It’s obvious there are many ways that truck driving is dangerous.
Dangers for Other Road Users
A truck driver who may be suffering from health issues or exhaustion from a difficult schedule and long hours is not just a danger to himself but also to all other road users.
According to the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA), most causes for accidents with trucks and other large commercial vehicles are driver related. Often, some type of driver tiredness or fatigue is to blame.
Statistics also show that drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs cause a considerable number of accidents. A driver could suffer from a sudden medical event such as a heart attack, leaving them unable to control their vehicle with disastrous consequences. Truck drivers can be susceptible to depression and become dependent on alcohol or drugs or may use prescription medications that impair their driving. These are some of the most serious ways truck driving is dangerous.
Some of the reasons for truck accidents are directly related to the health hazards and occupational dangers of being a truck driver and living on the road for many days at a time. The truck driver lifestyle and working conditions can, therefore, contribute to accidents that put not only their own life and health at risk, but also the life and health of other road users, including car drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists.
Accidents with a large and heavy truck or commercial vehicle almost always have disastrous consequences for the truck driver and for other road users. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most deaths in truck involved crashes are passenger vehicle occupants.
For a free legal consultation, call (844) 430-1030
Contact Us for More Information on How Dangerous Truck Driving Can Be
If you are suffering injuries from a truck accident, whether you injured yourself on duty as a truck driver, or another road user caused the accident, you may wish to consult with a truck accident lawyer.
In dealing with any type of accident, whether work-related or not, establishing responsibility or fault can be taxing. A truck company may be guilty of negligence by not maintaining their vehicles to a good standard, causing a driver to have an accident through no fault of their own, leaving them injured or unable to work, for example.
If you have any questions regarding truck accidents, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 430-1030. We can offer you a free consultation if you would like to learn information regarding any legal aspects of truck driving or truck accidents.
Call or text (844) 430-1030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
