Technically speaking, a “truck accident” happens when a trailer weighing over 10,000 pounds crashes with another vehicle or with a pedestrian. Half-a-million truck accidents with more than 90,000 injuries happen every year in the U.S. Nearly 5,000 of those truck crashes result in a fatality; a truck is involved in one out of every eight traffic-related deaths in the U.S.

The top cause of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Almost every experienced personal injury attorney has represented clients injured in fatigue-related truck crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers advice for truck drivers who need to stay alert:

1. Get enough sleep. Adults need seven hours for the highest alertness. The most beneficial sleep is between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
2. Nap if you need to. A nap is better for restoring alertness than coffee or energy drinks. Nap at least 10 minutes; 45 isn’t too much.
3. If you are going to drive, avoid medicines that cause drowsiness.
4. Sleep on a regular schedule whenever possible.
5. Eat a balanced diet on a consistent schedule. A poor diet causes fatigue, blood sugar issues, and other alertness problems.

If you are injured in a truck accident, don’t admit any fault or sign any insurance forms before speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney. If possible, take pictures of your injuries both prior to and subsequent to medical treatment. Keep and make copies of medical, police, or insurance documents pertinent to the crash. Most importantly, contact a good personal injury lawyer right away.

If you or a member of your family has been injured in a truck accident, or if you are the survivor of a loved one killed in a truck crash, please speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Compensation for personal injury is your legal right. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.