Determining Causation: When Sleep Apnea Causing 18 Wheeler Wrecks Could be Negligent
Most people are familiar with the medical condition known as sleep apnea. While sleep apnea can pose health risks to the individual afflicted with the condition, it also can pose serious and significant risks to other individuals on the road if the condition is left undiagnosed or if an individual fails to adhere to their treatment regimen. The dangers of sleep apnea are especially true for commercial truck drivers as they drive long hours on the roadways of New Mexico in large semi-tractor trailers and big rigs. Sleep apnea is quite prevalent in truck drivers, with approximately 28% of truck drivers afflicted with the condition. When sleep apnea causing 18 wheeler wrecks in New Mexico harms you or a loved one, it could be due to the negligence of the truck driver or trucking company.
Here at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C., our Albuquerque big rig accident lawyers know that, when a commercial trucking accident leaves victims injured as a result of the truck driver’s sleep apnea, they made be held liable for the injuries sustained by victims and you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. The trucking company may also be liable for the damages caused to a victim and the victim’s family. Learn more here and how our lawyers can help you.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that impairs an individual’s breathing while sleeping. Individuals with sleep apnea will experience pauses in their breathing for short periods of time, often numerous times while sleeping. This is not only life-threatening, but if left untreated it leads to daytime drowsiness and fatigue. This is dangerous for any individual, but especially a truck driver who is required to operate a semi-tractor trailer.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea for a Commercial Truck Driver
There are many dangers of sleep apnea for commercial truck drivers. Not only are they at risk for falling asleep while operating their commercial truck, but untreated sleep apnea can cause serious and catastrophic accidents as a result of the following:
- Inattentive driving
- Impaired reaction time
- Impaired judgement
- Impaired memory
All of these potential issues are due to truck driver fatigue as a result of sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is not treated properly, it inevitably leaves individuals with the condition fatigued, which is especially dangerous for commercial truck drivers.
If You or Your Loved One Was Injured in a Commercial Trucking Accident
If you or your loved one was injured in a commercial trucking accident, you likely aren’t going to know the cause of the accident at the time of crash. This is why you need an experienced truck accident lawyer who can investigate the potential causes of the crash, including the health of the driver.
If it is found that the driver suffered from sleep apnea but was not adherent to their treatment regimen, they may be held liable. Additionally, if a truck driver with undiagnosed sleep apnea caused a commercial trucking accident, they too may be held liable even if they were not yet diagnosed. This is because there are FMCSA guidelines regarding fatigued driving. If a truck driver is fatigued, they should never operate their semi-tractor trailer. Choosing to do so could be considered negligence.
Call the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. for Help if Sleep Apnea Causing 18 Wheeler Wrecks in NM Harms You
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a New Mexico trucking accident, learn how we may be able to recover compensation for you. Sleep apnea causing 18 wheeler wrecks can be due to the negligence of the truck driver and the trucking company, entitling victims and their families to compensation. Learn more during a FREE consultation with our experienced Albuquerque 18 wheeler wreck lawyers at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. by dialing (505) 384-7865 to schedule your FREE consultation.
We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico. Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 384-7865 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here.
