Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Sleep Apnea and Risk of Crash

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Not surprisingly, truck drivers who suffer from sleep apnea and do not follow their recommended treatment program are much more likely to be involved in a serious crash. What may come as a surprise is the number of preventable truck accidents that occurred among truck drivers with sleep apnea who did not follow the appropriate treatment protocol.

According to study author and principal investigator of the Truckers & Turnover Project at the University of Minnesota, over 3,200 U.S. truck drivers were studied. More than 1,600 truckers suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. A control group with the same number of drivers who did not have the condition was also studied. Truck drivers with sleep apnea were given positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), which keeps the airways open while a person sleeps. The CPAP machine could be used in the truck’s sleeper compartment or at home. Because the CPAP had a memory chip installed in the machine, researchers could track when the truckers followed the prescribed treatment.

Among the group of truckers who have sleep apnea and did not use the CPAP machine, the rate of serious crashes was five times higher than that of the control group. The truckers who have sleep apnea and followed the CPAP treatment had crash rates similar to the control group. Clearly, many of these serious trucking accidents could have been prevented if the truck drivers had been following the recommended therapy that included the CPAP machine.

As a result of the study findings, researchers suggest the need for obstructive sleep apnea screenings for all drivers as part of the commercial driver’s medical exam. Approximately 25 million American adults suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. If not addressed quickly and appropriately, the problem could pose a very significant risk to transportation safety.

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Maximum Compensation for Victims of Truck Accidents Related to Sleep Apnea

If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, call the experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Our dedicated team will work tirelessly on your behalf to make sure that you receive the maximum financial compensation for your injuries. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.