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Non-English and Limited English Speaking Patients Have a Higher Risk of Experiencing a Medical Mistake

November 28, 2016  ·  By HM&M

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truck driver fatigue, Chicago truck accident lawyersDriver fatigue is a universal problem that contributes to hundreds of thousands of motor vehicle accidents per year. In fact, according to a recent AAA survey, nearly half of all drivers admitted to falling asleep or nodding off while driving at least once in their lifetime. And an investigation by the NTSB of identified driver fatigue as a probable cause or contributing factor in nearly 20 percent of 182 major commercial-driver accidents; the implications in these sorts of accidents can be downright devastating for all involved.

A Sleep-Deprived Country

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, as many as one in five adults fail to get enough sleep. Some do so with sleep disorders, like insomnia. Others suffer sleep deprivation because of work hours, medical issues, or personal obligations that may restrict or diminish the amount or quality of sleep. Still others work hours that are constantly changing, making it nearly impossible to develop a healthy sleep schedule. Whatever the reason, a large percentage of Americans are working through the fog of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Used to describe the feelings and effect of not getting enough sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness can cause a myriad of symptoms. The most concerning to drivers include:

  • Attention deficits,
  • Distractibility,
  • Fatigue,
  • Forgetfulness,
  • Increased errors,
  • Lack of coordination,
  • Longer reaction times,
  • Poor decision-making, and
  • Reduced vigilance.

Commercial Vehicles and Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation in any driver puts the public at risk, but in respect to commercial drivers, the effects could be catastrophic. They are operating larger vehicles that require greater effort and concentration to control. And, if an accident occurs, those that are affected are at an increased risk for severe injury or death because of the weight and size disparities between vehicles. Individual commercial drivers, and the companies they work for, have a legal responsibility to reduce the risk, prevalence, and impact of driver fatigue; those that fail to do so should be held accountable.

The attorneys of [[title]] understand and are capable of navigating the complexities of truck driving accidents, including those related to driver fatigue. And, because we know just how important it is to handle such accidents swiftly, we work diligently on each case to help our clients recover damages for their accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a commercial truck accident, contact our experienced Chicago, IL truck accident attorneys for your free initial consultation. Call [[phone]] today.

Sources:

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/mwl/Pages/mwl1-2016.aspx

Facts and Stats

http://www.aasmnet.org/resources/factsheets/sleepdeprivation.pdf

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