With Christmas and New Year’s only a few days away, you can expect that the roadways are going to fill up quickly with anxious travelers on their way to visit friends and family. Local residents may also be headed out simply looking for a good time. But, the holidays don’t only bring out locals. Many commercial trucks and freight shipping courier companies with also have their vehicles out driving too as gifts and packages are being sent across the country to make it in time for the holidays.
While we know the holidays are an exciting time, the Chicago personal injury attorneys here at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are here to remind you of some of the dangers that are lurking on the roadways, whether you are driving to a work party or on your way to a family’s home in another state.
The last thing you want is to wind up colliding into another car or have a semi-truck slam into the back of your vehicle that could be carrying your most precious cargo, your loved ones.
- Be aware of large trucks that are operating all around you. While truck drivers are trained to operate and maneuver the trucks they are driving, remember that they are working long, strenuous shifts to get to from one place to another and have a very strict schedule they have to stick to. While some truckers are being overworked, others might suffer from sleep apnea. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “almost one-third of commercial truck drivers have mild to severe sleep apnea.” While it is a breathing-related sleep disorder, it can affect a truck driver while they are operating their vehicle.
Sleep apnea can affect a trucker’s alertness and performance when driving their vehicle. And if they haven’t had this disorder treated, it can make it difficult for them to stay awake, focus their eyes, and even react quickly. This in return can make the roadway a much more dangerous place so always be alert and aware.
- Be aware that there might be drunk drivers out on the roads. While Christmas might not be when the height of drunk driving accidents occur, New Year’s Eve definitely is one of the more dangerous times for drivers to be out on the roadways. according to Guardian Interlock, more than 42% of the traffic accidents that occur on New Year’s Eve typically are a result of drinking and driving. And these accidents can sometimes be fatal.
Just because you might be cautious and careful this holiday season doesn’t mean everyone else around you will be exerting the same caution. It is important that you take it upon yourself to be responsible, drive carefully, and avoid engaging in any type of behavior that could put you or the others around you at risk.
If your holiday season has already gotten off to a rough start and you were recently involved in a truck accident in Chicago, IL, contact our law firm now at 1-312-384-1920 to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer who can help you. At our firm, we place you as our top priority and will work to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
