According to Mississippi Highway Patrol officials, the accident happened when David Yell, 34, was heading west on Highway 78 and his Mac tractor-trailer collided with an International semi driven by Cornelius Tolbert. Both drivers were injured in the wreck, but Yell was more seriously wounded.
Police say that when emergency medical responders arrived on the scene of the crash, they transported Yell to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi, for treatment of his injuries. Thankfully, the damage done to the men was reduced given that both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Police say the wreck is still under investigation as officers try to determine which driver was at fault. Though officers say they do not yet know the cause of the wreck, the fact that the accident occurred so late at night leads many to wonder whether exhaustion was a factor. Driver fatigue frequently plays a role in tractor-trailer accidents, leading to thousands of deaths and injuries each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 750 people die and another 20,000 are injured each and every year due to exhausted commercial vehicle drivers being behind the wheel.
Truckers work notoriously long hours at a grueling pace. Demanding shipping deadlines and bonuses for on time deliveries can incentivize driving even when drivers know they should rest. Given the speed and weight of tractor-trailers, even a momentary lapse in attention can spell disaster for unsuspecting motorists.
Drivers who are repeatedly made tired and denied the proper amount of sleep can develop a worrisome problem known as a sleep deficit. This long-term sleep deprivation can lead to a general decline in reaction time and dulled senses, a dangerous duo for commercial vehicle driers. The NTSB has said that it estimates driver fatigue is responsible for nearly 40 percent of all accidents involving tractor-trailers.
Our office has successfully helped numerous individuals recover from the trucking companies who were responsible for causing injuries. If you’ve been injured in a Mississippi semi truck accident and have questions, please contact the 18-wheeler accident lawyers at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton for a free consultation. We guarantee that we will work tirelessly to ensure a favorable resolution to your case.
Source: “Tractor-trailer accident on Highway 78 near Sherman [no longer available on source website],” published at DJournal.com.
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