When a heavy big-rig, 18-wheeler, semi or tractor-trailer truck is involved in an accident, the injuries may be severe or fatal. There are several possible causes for truck accidents, which may include poor vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, drug use, reckless or careless driving. Surprisingly, excess coffee or energy drinks may also play a role.
A recent study in the United States revealed that truck drivers who drank significant amounts of coffee or energy drinks each day were involved in more motor vehicle accidents than those who had only one cup of coffee a day.
Excess coffee and inadequate sleep possibly connected
A transportation safety instructor in the United Kingdom studied 3,000 U.S. drivers in eight states. The study revealed that drivers who drank five or more cups of coffee each day more commonly experienced inadequate sleep and poor health when compared to drivers who drank less coffee. Drinking five or more cups of coffee each day places these drivers in the 90th percentile of the average daily caffeine consumption in the United States. Drivers who drank excess coffee and energy drinks also reportedly consumed more alcohol, smoked and made poor dietary choices. There appears to be a connection between drinking excess caffeinated drinks for energy and experiencing less sleep and poor health.
Truck accident victims
To avoid financial responsibility, truck drivers receive training on how to respond to police and other drivers after the accident; the truck driver is usually encouraged to deny any fault. Truck accident victims may experience the death of a loved one, mounting medical bills, lost wages, disabilities and other devastating complications after the accident. A lawyer may be able to help them decipher what happened during the motor vehicle accident and determine who is at fault. The lawyer may guide victims or their families through a lawsuit to pursue fair compensation.
