If a driver experiences a medical emergency behind the steering wheel, a car accident may be imminent. This is true regardless of the size of the vehicle. Still, if a trucker has a serious health crisis when driving, the sheer size and weight of his or her tractor-trailer are likely to put many lives in jeopardy.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alarming report about truck driver health in the U.S. The report reveals long-haul truckers are two times more likely than other drivers to smoke and to be obese.
The dangers of smoking
Thanks to countless educational campaigns, most North Carolinians realize the dangers of using tobacco products. These dangers include an increased risk of developing cancer, asthma, emphysema and other potentially deadly illnesses.
Depending on their severity, smoking-related illnesses may interfere with a trucker’s ability to control a semitruck. Sadly, a trucker’s smoking habit may put your personal well-being in danger.
The dangers of obesity
Over-the-road trucking requires spending countless hours in the cab of a truck. Truck drivers also must meet strict pickup and drop-off schedules. ‘
Both of these factors contribute to obesity, as truckers have limited opportunities for exercise and healthy eating. Because obesity may contribute to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease and other serious illnesses, long-haul truck drivers should undergo regular health screenings to be certain they are healthy enough to drive safely.
Ultimately, if you suffer a life-changing injury in a collision with an unhealthy trucker, you may have a legitimate claim for financial compensation from both the driver and the trucking company.
