Houston Personal Injury Law Blog

Large truck wrecks happen across the country for many different reasons. Fatigue is especially prevalent in the industry and many truck drivers do not get the amount of sleep they need before getting behind the wheel, while others drive for extended periods of time and are dangerously tired. However, drowsy driving can also be caused by the consumption of prescription medication. Moreover, some truck drivers may intentionally or accidentally find themselves intoxicated as a result of taking prescriptions. Sadly, this can interfere with their driving abilities and lead to a collision which proves fatal or causes victims to sustain major injuries.

There are all sorts of prescription drugs that truck drivers consume behind the wheel, legally and illegally. Some are intended to address pain, while others are meant to reduce anxiety or help with allergies. These different drugs can affect those who take them differently and may cause a wide variety of side effects that can affect someone’s ability to drive safe. Moreover, when someone is in control of a semi truck and they are not able to focus on the road or manage the truck, this can be extremely dangerous.

We understand that car insurance can be expensive, especially in the tough financial climate many Texans are experiencing. It can be particularly difficult to pay for full coverage. However, the reality is that all drivers in the Lone Star state are responsible for insuring vehicles they drive on public roads. If you fail to insure your car and get into an accident, the consequences can be more expensive and extensive than you bargained for.

Unfortunately, you might suffer even if you are insured, but the other driver in the accident had no insurance or was insufficiently covered. For example, an underinsured driver might pay for the bare minimum of liability coverage. If he or she was found at fault in an accident that injured you, liability insurance might only pay for a fraction of your damages – meaning you are responsible for the rest of your expenses.

Drivers become drowsy for many different reasons, from a poor night’s sleep to the use of certain types of prescription medication. However, work-related fatigue is especially common, and many people have had a hard time concentrating on the road because they either worked too many hours or worked a night shift and had difficulty adjusting. Unfortunately, those who drive while fatigued put many lives at risk, including their own. If you regularly work long shifts or expect to work during the night and are not used to overnight work, it is important to be aware of the potential risks.

When someone works for a long period of time, they may become exhausted both mentally and physically. This exhaustion can result in drowsy driving and affect their reaction time and ability to focus on the road, thereby increasing the chances of a crash. In fact, a driver who is fatigued may even fall asleep while behind the wheel, which is terrifying. Moreover, those who work irregular shifts may have their sleep cycles disrupted and they may get less quality sleep, also increasing the likelihood of drowsy driving.

A Texas physician sees a patient and realizes that the risks outweigh the benefits of the medication that he or she would normally prescribe to treat that condition. However, the drug manufacturer has provided information about another medication that could be helpful, even though it was actually developed and tested for treatment of another health issue. 

According to the FDA, the doctor can legally prescribe that medication, even though the intended use in this case is not listed on the drug label provided by the manufacturer. All drug companies must submit evidence to the FDA of the drug's safety and its effectiveness when used according to the label, but how it is prescribed is actually up to the discretion of the physician.