Kentucky drivers that share the road with commercial truck drivers should be aware that truckers with three or more medical conditions are two to four times more likely to cause an accident. According to a recent study, the risk of a crash occurring increases as a truck driver’s health decreases.
It can be extremely difficult for truck drivers who sit behind the wheel for long hours to keep healthy. They often have to deal with poor sleeping conditions and rely on less nutritious meals in addition to living a sedentary lifestyle while on the road. The medical records of more than 49,000 commercial truckers indicated that about 34 percent of the drivers had signs of at least one serious medical condition, such as low back pain, heart disease and diabetes. These particular conditions have previously been linked to poor driving performance.
The research also showed that commercial truck drivers with at least three of the conditions associated with poor driving performance were more likely to become involved in a car accident. The frequency of accidents involving commercial truckers who had three performance-related medical conditions was 93 accidents per 100 million miles traveled. The study suggests that while one health condition might be manageable, multiple conditions can substantially increase a driver’s risk of causing a truck accident.
Occupants of passenger vehicles who become involved in truck accidents are likely to sustain serious injuries due to the size and heaviness of commercial vehicles. If the truck driver’s poor health caused the crash, the injured parties may be able to file personal injury claims against the driver and his or her employer. A personal injury lawyer can help file the claim and work with the insurance company to reach a settlement agreement.