You might be driver who was injured in a crash in Louisville, Kentucky. It could be that it involved a large truck. Truckers are known to become negligent behind the wheel, too, and one of the most common ways is through drowsy driving. Now, a new study says that the very thing that should be keeping truck drivers awake is raising their risk for a crash. That substance is caffeine.
Dangers of excessive coffee drinking
The study was conducted by a U.K. researcher and the Virginia Tech Transport Institute. After having 11,000 drivers from eight states fill out a questionnaire, researchers narrowed their analysis down to 3,007 subjects. The reason was that they fit into the two categories that researchers wanted to hone in on: those who drink just one cup of coffee a day, and those who drink over five cups a day.
Asked if they had been in a crash in the previous three years, 21.6% of the low coffee drinkers said yes while 27.8% of the high coffee drinkers said yes. It appears, then, that drinking more coffee can lead to more crashes.
Not only that, but the high coffee drinkers also reported poorer overall health. They admitted that they would smoke, drink more alcohol and fail to eat healthy or get restful sleep.
Limits of the study
Correlation does not imply causation, but with further research, the connection may be made clearer. Researchers suggest that there be a greater analysis of the variables. For example, drivers have different preferences when it comes to their beverages. Coffee, after all, is not the only caffeinated beverage that study participants consumed. The effects can differ from beverage to beverage. Level of intake may differ, too, between work days and days off.
Legal representation for serious injury cases
If you were injured in a crash caused by a negligent truck driver, it may be wise to meet with a lawyer before pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer, by providing personal attention on the case, may determine how much you can be eligible for in compensatory damages. These damages may cover medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.