According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver fatigue is a major cause of traffic crashes, including 18 wheeler accidents.

According to a study by NHTSA, sleep deprivation can cause accidents because it alters the way humans perform at tasks critical to driving. For example, sleep deprivation can cause slower reaction times.

Additionally, it can make people less aware of their surroundings, and cause problems with the way the brain processes information. All of these can become lethal when the person in question is driving multi-ton semi trucks, possibly causing 18 wheeler accidents.

According to NHTSA, the major causes of sleepiness on the road include not setting aside enough time to sleep; sleep fragmentation, getting sleep in irregular chunks; and the use of drugs and alcohol. All of these factors can add to sleepiness on the road and increase the risk of 18 wheeler accidents and other types of vehicle crashes. These potential factors for an 18 wheeler accidents can be traced back to judgment calls by drivers.

Additionally, demands on drivers by their firms may increase the risk of 18 wheeler accidents. Many semi truck drivers drive trucks owned by shipping firms, and these firms may determine routes, deadlines, and other factors that could encourage drivers to skip needed sleep breaks to meet deadlines. This could increase the risk that semi truck drivers are too fatigued to safely drive, increasing the chance of an 18 wheeler crash.

Firms that operate semi trucks often have their own investigation teams that are dispatched to accident scenes and interview people involved in 18 wheeler accidents. However, investigators from semi truck firms have a financial interest in showing that 18 wheeler accidents were not the fault of their drivers to avoid liability.

Allegedly, semi truck firms may make small settlement offers to people involved in 18 wheeler accidents before they are fully aware of the extent of their injuries or the costs of medical care.

An 18 wheeler accident class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to help the victims of 18 wheeler accidents realize their legal rights. Legal teams are currently looking for victims of 18 wheeler accidents — and their next of kin in wrongful death cases — as they may be able to help recoup the cost of medical care, lost wages, and final expenses.