As a Louisiana resident, you may often feel uneasy at the prospect of sharing the road with the large number of trucks that drive down the state’s highways. You never quite know the level of training and the condition of each driver behind the wheel. Some drivers may be trying to reach their destination fueled by caffeine. A recent research study suggests that drivers who drink a lot of caffeine, either through coffee or energy drinks, may be more prone to truck accidents.
Caffeine may be involved in crashes
While the study did not document a scientific reason for this finding, it did perform a statistical analysis of over 3,000 drivers. The researchers surveyed the drivers about how much caffeine they consumed in a day. Those who drank five or more cups of coffee per day were more likely to be in an accident than those who consumed just one per day. Approximately 27% of truck drivers who are considered heavy caffeine users were involved in an accident during the survey period.
Caffeine may not be the sole factor
Caffeine may be just one part of an overall unhealthy lifestyle that can increase the risk of an accident. In the study, heavily caffeinated truck drivers were more likely to be a smoker and have a poor diet. All of these together could create a health profile that makes a driver be less attentive or have slower reaction times. Thus, it is unclear whether caffeine is a cause or an effect.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may want legal representation to help you get compensation. Truck accidents often mean severe injuries, so you may be dealing with a higher value settlement or jury verdict. An attorney may help you file your claim and then work on negotiating a settlement agreement with the insurance company. If settlement talks are unsuccessful, the attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.