Warwick Attorneys for Drowsy Truck Driver Accidents
Were you or a loved one injured in a truck accident in Rhode Island because a truck driver was drowsy or fell asleep at the wheel? When a truck driver causes an accident because of drowsy or distracted driving, they can be held accountable for their actions, and you can be compensated for your injuries. To file a personal injury claim and be compensated, contact an experienced truck accident attorney in Warwick to discuss your case.
At Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd., we’ve seen and represented clients in all types of truck driving accidents over the years, so we know what it takes to win your claim. We can help you prove the truck driver was drowsy and their fatigue caused the accident. Call us today at (401) 751-8855 to speak with one of our truck accident attorneys in Warwick or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
What is a Drowsy Truck Driving Accident?
Truck drivers work exhausting hours and are expected to drive long distances, sometimes without the breaks they need to stay alert. It is inevitable that drivers will get tired. However, it’s a different story when truck drivers let drowsiness affect their reaction time and decision-making on the road, and it causes an accident.
In the United States, fatigue causes hundreds of truck accidents every year. When drivers are tired their cognition is impaired, and their reaction is slower than normal, which can be a deadly combination when they’re behind the wheel of a large truck.
Listed below are some of the common side-effects fatigue and drowsiness can have on drivers:
- Diminished concentration
- Blurry vision
- Irritation with other drivers
- Speeding or driving too slowly
- Rolling through stop signs or traffic lights
- Missing road signs and signals
- Zoning out and drifting across lanes
Truck drivers who feel that sleepiness is affecting their driving should pull over and get some rest. Unfortunately, many times drivers are not even aware of how tired they are until it’s too late.
Below are some of the most common causes of fatigue for truck drivers:
- Too many hours on the road or unusual shifts
- Inebriation or drug use
- Medication and prescription drugs
- Illness
Some of the drugs that can cause drowsiness include marijuana, opioids, allergy medications, anti-depressants, anti-psychotic medication, and sleeping pills. Sleeping medications can be especially dangerous because sometimes their effects linger in the morning, causing drivers to be drowsy and lethargic when they wake up.
No matter what the cause of drowsiness, truck drivers have a responsibility to be safe on the road. When a driver’s drowsiness causes an accident, injured victims have the right to file a claim and be compensated by their insurance company.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Proving that a truck driver was fatigued or drowsy and their drowsiness caused your automobile accident in Warwick can be a difficult thing to do. But to receive compensation for a personal injury car accident claim in Rhode Island, you must first prove that the truck driver was at fault.
An experienced truck accident attorney can fight for your rights in Warwick and represent you if your case goes to court. They can also help you build your case by collecting, organizing, and analyzing evidence, communicating with insurance companies and other attorneys, finding specialists to investigate the details of the accident, and ultimately making your claim as strong as possible.
Although you can legally file a claim without an attorney, it is not advisable to do so. The insurance company’s representative will likely contact you and ask you to give a statement about the accident. Although they may seem compassionate, they’re actually hoping you’ll trip yourself up and say something they can use to deny your claim in full, or at least to reduce the amount of compensation they should pay you.
When you hire Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd., we will talk with the insurance companies for you. We will make sure that they do not take advantage of you while you’re feeling vulnerable already in the aftermath of the crash.
Why Choose Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.?
At Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd., we’ve represented truck accident victims in Rhode Island for over four decades, and our firm strongly believes in our clients’ right to be compensated fairly. We have a history of winning big claims for our clients in Warwick, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs to you. Contact Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. today at (401) 751-8855 to schedule a free consultation and talk more about your case.
Statistics About Drowsy Truck Driving
The actual number of drowsy driving accidents is generally underestimated since they are difficult to prove and often go unreported. Listed below are some of the statistics we know about fatigued and drowsy driving in the United States:
- In 2012, nearly 4,000 people were killed, and over 100,000 were injured in accidents that involved trucks.
- The Fatality Analysis Reporting System from that year determine 1.5% of those accidents were because the driver was asleep, drowsy or fatigued. However, because fatigue is difficult for an officer to detect, the actual percentage is expected to be much higher.
- According to the American Sleep Foundation, in the general population, nearly 50% of adult drivers admitted to driving while drowsy, and more than 40% admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel.
FAQs
At Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd., we’ve been representing clients who’ve been injured in accidents with drowsy truck drivers for years. Following are a few of the questions we’re asked most often.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
The statute of limitations for filing a claim after a drowsy driving accident with a truck in Rhode Island is three years. If you wait longer than that, you will likely not be able to file your case with the court. We recommend you contact one of our attorneys at Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. and start the process right away. We can be preparing for a court case while we negotiate with the insurance company. If we can’t come to an appropriate settlement agreement, we’ll be prepared to immediately file your case in court.
What can I be compensated for?
If your personal injury accident claim is successful, you can be compensated for your pain and suffering, medical bills, missed time from work, and future missed time from work, among other things. However, you must first prove that the truck driver was primarily at fault for the accident.
How expensive is hiring an attorney?
Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. works on a contingency-fee basis, so there are no upfront costs to hire us. You will only have to pay lawyer’s fees if we successfully win your claim and recover compensation for your injuries.
Contact the Warwick Truck Driving Attorneys of Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. Today
At Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd., we provide compassionate and aggressive legal services to clients in Warwick and all over Rhode Island who’ve been injured in accidents involving trucks driven by drowsy or distracted drivers. Call us today (401) 751-8855 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to see how we can help you gain compensation for your injuries.
