Driver Fatigue

Drivers cause over 88% of all truck accidents. Driver fatigue is the most common on average. After long hours on the road, driving all night can contribute to the driver’s drowsiness.

Truckers can disobey their hours of service to keep driving despite feeling tired in order to meet delivery deadlines. Falling asleep behind the wheel of a truck can easily result in other drivers’ fatality on the road if the truck should collide with these smaller vehicles. 

Driving Under The Influence (DUI)

Like most states, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is around 0.05%. Commercial drivers shouldn’t drive after consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs that could potentially impair their driving ability. 

Speeding

It’s extremely difficult to control an 18-wheeler rig with a trailer. This challenge is why commercial drivers receive training and special licenses to operate such a vehicle. Speeding makes these dangerous big rigs even harder to control on turns and stops when compared to smaller vehicles. If a truck driver goes over the speed limit, he/she risks rear ending another vehicle at a stop, losing control of the truck, and in some cases overturning the truck around corners. Weather conditions could cause similar effects with trucks going too fast in snow, sleet, or rain. 

Distracted Driving

People should know that there are very strict laws against drivers and any form of texting or talking on the phone while driving. However, not all drivers obey these laws, including truck drivers. Cell phone use can be very distracting and, in turn, resulting in catastrophic accidents. Other ways a truck driver can be distracted include;

• Eating
• Drinking
• Grooming
• Pets
• Outside Distractions

Mechanical Failure

In some cases, trucking accidents are not the driver’s fault, but in fact, the trucking company or vehicle manufacturer’s responsibility. If there’s defective hardware or poorly maintenance, there could be risks such as brakes failing while traveling on the highway. If this is the case, the trucking company may be liable for failure to maintain the truck. The manufacturer could also be liable for the truck containing defective hardware. 

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PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is a significant problem that influences millions of people each year throughout the country. In many cases, PTSD can be caused by any kind of distressing or horrific occasion, consistent with automobile accidents. Research has revealed that approximately nine percent of the population with a car or truck accident will go through some post-traumatic stress disorder. The number escalates to nearly 60 percent when the person associated with an auto-accident seeks mental healthcare after the mishap.

Being harmed in a car accident can transform the lives of those involved and that of their friends, family, and loved ones. The Salt Lake City auto accident legal representatives of The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez can assist you in recouping settlements for your injuries, both mental and physical.

The Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

If you believe you may have PTSD after an accident, it is important to recognize what it is and what signs may be associated with this disorder after a car or massive truck accident. PTSD can complicate your life to the point where you no longer feel able to get behind the wheel of your vehicle. The lack of drive can seriously limit your ability to get to work or live everyday life in many ways. People who have PTSD can also trigger immense emotional distress and lead to ongoing depression and anxiety.

The symptoms of PTSD include the following:

• Sense of feeling nervous or anxious when you drive or need to drive.
• You relive the car accident and feel a strong sense of panic.
• You may be experiencing avoidance where you avoid certain roads, times of day, or driving altogether.
• You come to be extra careful (you are on the lookout for risks lurking around every edge).
• You end up being numb to the world around you (feeling helpless, depressed, and unable to feel various other sorts of emotions).

Terrible Stress and Car Crashes.

Stressful anxiety has long been linked to vehicle accidents. However, most people who make it through serious accidents do not experience any psychological wellness concerns that call for medical treatment, according to the United States Division of Veterans Affairs. However, this does not mean that those experiencing PTSD have anything wrong with them or that they are alone. Research from VA has found that at least 14 percent of survivors of significant accidents who seek medical treatment for mental issues will suffer from PTSD. Throughout various studies carried out, the general standard is about 60 percent.

The studies have likewise found that anywhere from three to 53 percent of survivors identify with PTSD develop mood conditions like significant depression. An additional study discovered that with those seeking mental treatment, 27 percent experienced anxiety-related issues, and another 15 percent stated they established a phobia of driving.

Threat Factors for Developing PTSD After a Collision.

More than three million individuals are injured every year in automobile crashes across the United States. The probability of PTSD triggered by vehicle crashes increase if you experience any or all of the following risk elements:

• Losing a friend, loved one, or family member as a result of the accident
• Your family has a background of psychological issues.
• The injuries you experienced threatened your life.
• You were suffering from emotional troubles before the accident.
• You experienced dissociation during the crash.
• If you did not get a lot of support after the accident.
• You have struggled with guilt, concern, vulnerability, pity, or horror since the accident.

What To Do If You Experience PTSD Symptoms.

If you have experienced any one of the symptoms of PTSD stated above, you should consider seeking treatment from a medical professional or family physician as soon as possible. This is not something you ought to attempt to resolve on your own or try to wait out the storm to see if things get better. The longer you experience these signs and symptoms without seeking treatment, the worse the PTSD can influence your day to day life.

Seek legal representation from a trusted attorney. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Salt Lake City, UT auto crash, you would benefit from a consultation with a local, trusted lawyer. The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez are here to help. We will be able to investigate your situation and provide a case analysis to help you know where you stand in the eyes of the law. Call our office today at (801) 590-3275 to contact us and schedule a consultation.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. This website contains general information relating to areas of law familiar to our firm. The information should not be construed as legal advice or other professional advice. You should not rely on the contents of this website as such. Participation on this website does not create any kind of attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice or representation, please contact my office, and I would be pleased to discuss your case with you and see if my firm can help.

The post Can you Experience PTSD After a Car Accident? appeared first on The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez, PLLC..