The holiday season brings love and joy to so many families across the country and around the world. This time of year also causes a spike in consumer demand and an increasing need to deliver products and goods on time. Giant retailers to small mom and pops shops depend on commercial truck drivers to fulfill their customer orders and deliver their products and goods in a timely fashion. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us, and Christmas now looming, truck drivers in Indiana and throughout the country are literally working tirelessly to fulfill these delivery orders. Three of the critical components contributing to most truck-related accidents include poor driving conditions resulting from weather conditions changing, reckless driving, and distracted driving.
If you or a loved one falls victim to an overworked commercial truck drivers’ negligence this holiday season, contact our talented lawyers here at Yosha Law immediately. This includes situations leading to a commercial truck drivers lawsuit in Indiana, where the holiday season can exacerbate risks. Since 1963, Yosha Law has represented hundreds of injured Hoosiers involved in truck accident cases, and our seasoned trial lawyers are eager to serve as your advocate for justice and pursue a full recovery for your injuries and losses.
Reckless Driving During the Holiday Season
One of the most common trends leading to truck accidents during the holiday season is reckless driving. Increased demand and rushed shipments have caused truck drivers to work more hours and become exhausted and overworked as a result. Being over-tired while driving during the holiday season could impact the drivers:
- Alertness
- Attention
- Reaction time
- Judgment
- Decision making
Typical signs of distracted driving include:
- Speeding
- Swerving between lanes
- Constantly changing speeds
- Drifting frequently
- Losing control of the vehicle
Poor Weather Conditions
Wintertime is notorious for one of the most dangerous times for individuals to be on the road. Not only is there increased traffic due to people traveling, but there is also the inclusion of snow, sleet, or freezing rain that could obstruct typical driving conditions. For truck drivers, unpredictable weather patterns could cause potentially life-threatening injuries, so knowing what to do when conditions worsen is imperative to staying safe on the roads. The two things that truck drivers should do to take extra precautions during dangerous weather conditions are slowing down speed and allowing extra space.
Although these two precautions seem relatively small in the grand scheme of things, they could help truck drivers stay safe on the roads. Slowing down is vital as it takes a truck driver considerable time to fully come to a stop. Allowing extra space is crucial for truck drivers as trucks need much longer to stop, so allowing ten times the average stopping distance during inclement weather could help prevent easily avoidable accidents.
Increased Demand for Truck Drivers During the Holidays
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, with an increased need for delivered items, there has been a shortage of truck drivers willing to make the continuous treks back and forth. Truck drivers struggle with high turnover yearly, which has been especially prevalent due to the pandemic. Currently, driver demand is at an all-time high, especially as the holiday season begins to ramp up, so companies are offering more lucrative salaries and options to help entice individuals to become truck drivers.
Contact a Talented Truck Accident Lawyer Today
While being a truck driver comes with great freedom, it also comes with substantial risks that all truck drivers should also be aware of. Our law firm is dedicated to creating an environment where all of our clients feel as though their best interests are being taken care of. An experienced attorney from Yosha Law could assist you in pursuing just compensation if you were injured as a result of a truck accident. For additional information, please get in touch with us today.
