Now that road traffic is picking up again in Houston, trucking companies have stayed very busy, especially since many people these days order products and services from home. Nevertheless, truck accidents are going to occur, and they are costly affairs. Many truck accident lawsuits allege that truck driver fatigue was the cause of the crash, but there are ways to counter these types of allegations.
Time of day and alertness
Some hours of the day are more conducive to alert driving than others. People are naturally drowsy from midnight to 6:00 a.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., due to our circadian rhythm. If your truck accident occurred outside these timeframes fatigue may not be to blame.
Diet and alertness
Did you know there is a link between your diet and alertness? If you eat healthy meals at regular intervals, you may sleep better at night and thus be more alert during the day. Skipping a meal, eating at odd times or eating a big meal right before bed can actually interfere with your sleep. If you take regular meal breaks at appropriate times, fatigue may not be a factor in your crash.
Medication and alertness
Certain prescription medications and over-the-counter medications list drowsiness as a side effect and warn not to operate heavy machinery while using the medication. Truckers who avoid these medications or who stay at home when they must take them may avoid the drowsiness that could lead to a truck accident.
Defending against truck accidents
A trucker who is well rested, eats a healthy diet and avoids certain medications can still be involved in a crash. It may be easy to point the finger at the trucker and claim the trucker was fatigued, but this is often not the case. Truck accidents can be complex, so if a trucker is involved in one, they will want to make sure they and their employer understand their legal rights and options. Transportation companies need legal representation that remains agile and effective, even in uncertain times.