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Truck Accidents

When Driver Fatigue Causes a Louisiana Truck Accident

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Truck Accidents

Common Types of a Louisiana Fatal Truck Accident

Truck Driver Shortage

In the United States, about 3.4 million truck drivers are employed in the industry. Right now a large percentage of these drivers are aging and looking at retirement soon. Few new hires are expected in the future, although current economic conditions may produce a plethora of applicants. The chance still remains that there will soon be a shortage of drivers in America.

Even today, there are 20,000 fewer long-haul drivers than needed. That shortage may increase to 111,000 by 2014. The long-haul truck driving segment also faces an image problem. Pay is low relative to the hours worked, hours are long, there are long periods away from home, and the work is also relatively dangerous. Drivers are often not treated particularly well within the industry.

In addition, turnover is high among long-haul drivers. Turnover at the largest carriers sometimes exceeds 135%, meaning that for every 100 drivers hired another 135 or more quit.

Truck Driver Safety

What do these problems in the industry mean for truck driver safety and for those who share the roads with trucks?

With such high demands on drivers, they sometimes work months at a time without going home for a break. Some don't even have a house or apartment. They live in their trucks, usually well equipped with a sleeper berth, like a small RV.

Drivers often earn only one day a week off. Regional drivers, who drive regular dedicated routes, do better, with a full two days off per week. So-called LTL drivers, less than truckload, may even work normal working hours and do not sleep in their trucks. They will often have nights or days off as well as weekends.

What all this means for people in passenger vehicles is that they share the long-haul roads with drivers who may well be fatigued and exhausted from their work schedules. Such fatigue is a common factor in truck crashes and is something all motorists should be concerned about. Fatigue is sometimes exacerbated by truckers ignoring the rest rules, and this leads to an increased probability of truck crashes.

The Young Firm in New Orleans understands the serious nature of automobile and truck accidents and the injuries that can result. Our firm will investigate the causes of any accident and pursue appropriate legal action.

Call a Louisiana car and truck accident attorney today at (866) 660-7220 for a free and confidential consultation if you have been involved in a car accident or an accident with a truck.