Chicago, IL 10/17/2011 11:31:16 PM
News / Events

Driver of overturned cattle truck fell asleep at the wheel

Last week, the driver of a cattle truck lost control of his vehicle and rolled-over. And at least thirty cows escaped the trailer and managed to roam free along the highway until a group of rescue workers and volunteers rounded up the strays. The roaming cattle caused two other accidents in which the drivers incurred minor injuries.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Russell Hobbs, told police that he fell asleep at the wheel, which caused the truck to travel into a median and turn over on its side. Fatigue is a primary cause of these types of accidents. When the people injured in these collisions, they often get the counsel of truck accident attorney in order to see if they are eligible for financial compensation.

Hobbs is one of the many truck drivers who fall asleep at the wheel setting off a chain of events that can be injurious or fatal. According to the National Traffic Safety Board, close to 52 percent of single vehicle accidents involving large trucks are caused by driver fatigue.

When truck accident attorneys can prove that a person’s fatigue or carelessness has caused injury or death to another they are able to recoup some of the costs they incur.

Truck accident lawyers can attest to the fact that collision involving heavy equipment can be more severe than accidents involving passenger vehicles. Regulations have been put in place to limit the number of hours a truck driver is allowed to drive at time to alleviate fatigue and prevent collisions.