There is a constant stream of tuckers going across the nation. Nearly every single one of these truckers faces some sort of mental and physical risk in their line of work. A tucker who experiences problems on the road can put other drivers in jeopardy of serious, even fatal injuries.
What are the mental and physical risks of trucking? How can a trucker’s health problems endanger other drivers? Here’s what you should know:
The not-so-glamorous life of trucking
Trucking companies often push their workers to the limits by enforcing short deadlines and providing little to no health insurance. Semi truck drivers often have to skip meals, exercise, showers, sleep and hygiene to meet their expected delivery times.
Many truckers spend hours, if not days, seated in the same position, eating fast food and sleeping in short bursts. Because of this, truckers may experience many physical health issues, which include:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea
- Insomnia
These issues put truckers in danger of collapsing at the wheel, putting themselves and other drivers in danger of collision. A trucker with high blood pressure could have a heart attack while driving, and one with insomnia could fall asleep at the wheel. A trucker who experiences physical health disorders may even experience mental health issues, like:
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- Stress
- Mood swings
Truckers may start driving erratically, drifting from one lane to the next and even become too emotionally and physically exhausted to follow driving laws. An erratic semitruck can cause catastrophic injuries to multiple cars at once.
After a wreck with a truck, victims may experience head trauma and spine-related injuries or find themselves in a life-or-death situation. If you were injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, you may need to reach out for legal help to help recover from your losses and medical bills.
