If you’ve driven up I-95 in Connecticut, you’ve likely had a close encounter with one of the many trucks that share the road. You never know how alert or skilled the driver behind the wheel of a big rig is when your car is alongside them on the highway. Some of these drivers may be relying on caffeine to stay awake and alert.
The U.K. research study
Researchers from the U.K. surveyed over 3,000 truck drivers from eight different states and asked them about how much caffeine they use every day. High caffeine drivers were defined as those who drank five or more cups of coffee in a day or their equivalent. Of these drivers, 27% percent were involved in accidents during the survey period. This is compared to 21% of the drivers who did not consume that much caffeine.
Caffeine may not be the sole factor
Before you point a finger at caffeine as being the sole reason for more truck crashes, it is important to know that it is only one factor. In general, drivers who fuel themselves with coffee or other energy drinks may also have other unhealthy habits such as a poor diet or smoking. The overall health picture may contribute to them being more of a risk behind the wheel. At times, caffeine may actually be a helpful energy boost for a truck driver.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Consider contacting a truck accident attorney to learn more about your legal rights and how you would file a claim. Legal counsel might negotiate with the insurance agency on your behalf. If you cannot reach a settlement agreement with the insurer, your attorney may file a lawsuit in court to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.