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Baltimore Tractor-Trailer Crash Caused by Allegedly Drowsy Truck Driver

By Jack Lebowitz, Esq. and Vadim Mzhen, Esq.

Two truck drivers were injured during rush hour today in a Baltimore truck collision involving a box truck and a tractor-trailer. According to Maryland State Police, the traffic collision happened when a box truck rear-ended the semi-truck on the Inner Loop close to Baltimore National Pike.

One of the truck drivers reportedly fell asleep while driving. Following the Maryland tractor-trailer accident, box truck driver Michael Ocasio was taken to Shock Trauma and admitted in serious condition. The semi-truck driver was treated at the hospital for nonfatal injuries.

Drowsy Truck Driving
Because of all the hours they spend behind the steering wheel of a large truck?often at odd times of the day and night, with little rest, and while having to navigate through some very long routes?truck drivers are at higher risk than most other motorists of falling asleep while driving. It doesn?t help in the event that a trucker is suffering from sleep apnea?especially when his/her condition has not been diagnosed.

Unfortunately, many motorists don?t realize that driving while drowsy or exhausted puts them at risk of causing a serious Maryland car crash. The National Sleep Foundation says that 60% of Americans polled say that they?ve driven when sleepy and 37% say that they?ve fallen asleep while driving. Sometimes a motorist can fall asleep while driving for just a few seconds. At other times, what may feel like just a blink of an eye may last long enough for the motorist to unknowingly drive off the road or, worse yet, into oncoming traffic or the back of another vehicle.

Drowsy driving can be grounds for a Maryland injury lawsuit if another party is hurt as a result.

Signs that you may be too drowsy to drive safely:
? Heavy eyelids
? Frequent blinking to keep your eyelids from closing
? Not being able to remember the last few miles that you just drove
? Constant yawning
? Lane drifting
? Missing your exit
? Your mind feels foggy and you are having a hard time thinking clearly

Truck Driver Falls Asleep And Crashes On 695, WJZ, July 20, 2010

Two lanes of Beltway Inner Loop reopen after crash, Baltimore Sun, July 20, 2010

Drowsy Driving, National Sleep Foundation

Related Web Resources:
Obesity Linked To Dangerous Sleep Apnea In Truck Drivers, Science Daily, March 12, 2009

Sleep Problems Linked To Truck Drivers' Performance Behind The Wheel, Medical News Today, August 15, 2006

Contact our Baltimore personal injury law firm to discuss your case.

Full post as published by Maryland Accident Law Blog on July 20, 2010 (boomark / email).