Have you ever seen a truck tooling down the highway at some odd hour of the day and wondered how the drivers can keep such challenging schedules? Most of us are blessed with a place to get the daily rest we need. But truck drivers are constantly on the go. Moreover, because their dining choices are so limited, drivers may not always have access to healthy foods.
It should come as no surprise that many drivers experience health issues, and this problem is leading many of them to leave the profession altogether. According to a survey conducted by a hiring and retention services provider, 21 percent of drivers cite health issues as their reason for quitting their trucking jobs. And this is just part of a larger trend of truck driver attrition that has become so severe that companies are offering steep incentives to retain and recruit new drivers.
The results of the report bring to light several important issues. First, driving a truck professionally is not only strenuous, but it can also produce a variety of negative health issues. And while many drivers come to the conclusion that the job is not worth the costs, others who are suffering physical maladies may choose to stay on the road. And, of course, we know that when we are having problems with our health we are more prone to experience fatigue.
It’s understandable that trucking companies would offer drivers new incentives and benefits, but basic problems will likely remain the same, meaning there will be fatigued drivers on the road. Truck driver fatigue is the root cause of far too many serious accidents every year. And if you or a member of your family have been injured in such an accident, then the driver and perhaps the driver’s company should be held accountable.
A Pennsylvania personal injury attorney could conduct an investigation of your accident to determine liability. In turn, the attorney could help you pursue fair compensation by working with insurance companies or filing a civil lawsuit against the liable party or parties.
