Daylight saving time and truck accidents

It’s March, and that means daylight saving time. Most people in Illinois and elsewhere dread it; many states want to get rid of it, but for now, it is just something that millions of Americans have to deal with. According to researchers, adjusting to the time change is harder on the body than people may realize. It can cause a lot of problems, and at least one of those problems may lead to an increase in truck accidents.

According to a recent report, the effect daylight saving time has on the body is not only mental, it is also physical. The week of the time change, there are higher rates of heart attacks and increased blood pressure. Numerous individuals also find themselves struggling with fatigue, which, of course, can negatively impact every aspect of their lives.

When it comes to truck accidents, fatigue may be the reason that so many collisions occur in the days and weeks following the start of daylight saving time. Truck drivers have very demanding schedules as it is. Losing an hour of sleep and struggling to adjust to the time change can throw them off. Drivers make poor decisions when they are tired, and they typically have slower reaction times.

Illinois residents who have suffered injuries or lost loved ones in truck accidents after the start of daylight saving time have every right to question whether fatigue was a contributing factor. Driving while drowsy is considered an act of negligence. If negligence can be established, the truck driver and his or her employer may be held responsible for one’s losses. Legal counsel can review the details of one’s case and, if appropriate, help one take the steps necessary to seek compensation for those losses.