We at Harrell & Nowak know how serious motor vehicle collisions can be. We have helped countless clients around the greater New Orleans area following collisions, and we have seen the amount of physical and emotional turmoil involved. Litigation for auto accidents can be complicated, which is why having skilled lawyers is helpful, both for peace of mind and for successful legal outcomes.
Our legal team would like to focus on an auto accident-related topic that’s come up a lot recently: driver fatigue.
Driver Fatigue and the Tracy Morgan Wal-Mart Trunk Accident
Driver fatigue has been in the news recently because of the tragic truck accident involving actor and comedian Tracy Morgan. The accident took place on June 7th in New Jersey. A Wal-Mart truck driver who had purportedly not slept for 24 hours lost control of his vehicle as a swerved to avoid a collision. The large truck struck several vehicles as a result, one of which contained Morgan and several of his friends. Morgan was seriously injured and James McNair, Morgan’s close friend and comedy writer, was killed.
Morgan is currently pursuing litigation against in order to cover lost income, medical expenses, the cost of physical rehabilitation, and emotional pain and suffering. McNair’s wife is also pursuing litigation over the wrongful death of her husband.
Driver Fatigue Is a Serious Issue
Sadly, these sorts of accidents happen with relative frequency. Many times large trucks are involved because of the demands made on truck drivers to traverse the country and meet shipping deadlines and strict delivery dates. When drivers are overworked and do not get sufficient rest, accidents like the one that involved Tracy Morgan are more likely.
With that in mind, driver fatigue can also affect drivers in commuter vehicles as well. You’ve likely had to drive home when you were feeling tired or after a long day and noticed the affect it’s had on your abilities, and things can get worse when long drives are involved.
Problems as a Result of Driver Fatigue
One of the biggest dangers of driver fatigue is the possibility of falling asleep while you are on the road. Repeatedly nodding off is another big issue, with drivers nearly falling asleep and frequently having their concentration affected and interrupted. Even a brief dip into near-sleep can mean the difference between life and death.
Even if drivers do not fall asleep, fatigue can make them mentally foggy or result in delayed reaction times. These can also have a major affect on your safety on the road.
How to Prevent Driver Fatigue
In order to prevent driver fatigue, be sure to drive only when you are well-rested and fully alert. If you feel tired or sleepy on a long drive, be sure to use rest stops to rest and recover or simply find a hotel or motel to stay in. Do not put yourself or others at risk if you are feeling tired.
Speak with Our Auto Accident Attorneys About Your Case
If you or someone that you care about has been injured in an auto accident of some kind, it’s imperative that you contact our personal injury law firm today. The law firm of Harrell & Nowak is committed to its clients and will fight to ensure that you receive just compensation for any injuries experienced or losses that have been sustained.