Can Truckers Keep Driving After a Seizure or Stroke?

Truck drivers play a crucial role in keeping the economy running by transporting goods across long distances. However, their job also comes with significant responsibilities and risks. When a trucker experiences a serious medical event such as a seizure or stroke, it raises critical safety and legal concerns. Can they continue driving? What are the regulations governing their ability to operate a commercial vehicle? More importantly, what happens if a trucker suffers a medical episode while behind the wheel, causing an accident?

This article explores the medical regulations, safety risks, and legal consequences surrounding truckers who suffer from neurological conditions such as seizures or strokes. 

Medical Regulations for Commercial Drivers

Commercial truck drivers must meet strict medical standards to operate large vehicles safely. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates medical fitness for duty, and drivers with neurological conditions such as seizures or strokes must meet specific criteria before they are cleared to drive again. Additionally, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) enforces state regulations to ensure only medically qualified individuals hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

FMCSA Guidelines for Seizures and Strokes

• Seizures: A driver who has experienced a seizure may be disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle unless they meet waiver requirements. If they have a history of epilepsy, they must be seizure-free for at least 8 years without medication. For individuals with a single seizure due to an isolated event, the waiting period may be shorter, typically around 6 months to 2 years. This regulation is in place to minimize the risk of a driver losing control of their truck due to another seizure.
  
• Strokes: FMCSA regulations require a driver who has suffered a minor stroke to wait at least 1 year before seeking medical clearance. If the stroke caused significant impairment, such as a brain bleed, the waiting period extends to 5 years.
  Additionally, truckers must pass medical exams annually to maintain their clearance. This ensures that they do not suffer from lingering effects such as weakness, poor coordination, or cognitive difficulties that could impair their ability to drive safely.

Safety Risks of Driving After a Seizure or Stroke

Allowing an unfit driver to operate an 80,000-pound truck can pose significant risks to public safety. Neurological conditions can result in:

• Loss of Consciousness: A seizure or stroke while driving can lead to catastrophic accidents, putting the driver, passengers, and other motorists in grave danger.
  
• Reduced Reaction Time: Impaired motor skills and cognitive delays make it harder to respond quickly to road hazards, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
  
• Vision and Coordination Issues: Many stroke survivors experience vision loss, muscle weakness, or balance problems, all of which can make controlling a large commercial vehicle difficult and unsafe.

Statistics show that truck drivers have a higher risk of strokes due to poor health habits, obesity, and lack of access to healthy food on the road. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, over 50% of truckers are obese, leading to higher risks of stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. These underlying conditions make it crucial for truckers to prioritize their health and undergo regular medical evaluations.

Legal Consequences for Truckers

Driving while medically unfit can result in severe legal consequences, including:

• License Suspension or Revocation: The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) enforces state and federal regulations, and a driver who conceals a medical condition risks losing their CDL permanently. Failing to disclose a condition such as epilepsy or a history of strokes can be considered fraud and result in penalties.
  
• Liability for Accidents: If a trucker suffers a seizure or stroke behind the wheel and causes an accident, they and their employer may be held liable for damages. Victims can pursue claims for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the accident. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws, a trucking company could also be held responsible if they knowingly allowed an unfit driver to remain on the road.
  
• Criminal Charges: If a truck driver knowingly falsifies their medical history, they may face charges such as fraud or reckless endangerment. Past cases in New Jersey have held drivers accountable for failing to disclose medical conditions that led to fatal accidents.

Consult with a Truck Lawyer in NJ

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident caused by a driver with a medical condition, it’s essential to seek legal guidance. At Rosengard Law Group, we help victims hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable. Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of truck accident cases and will fight for the compensation you deserve.

Steps to Take if You’ve Been Injured in a Truck Accident:

• Seek Medical Attention – Prioritize your health and document all injuries. Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, symptoms of certain injuries, such as whiplash or traumatic brain injuries, can appear later.
  
• Report the Accident – Notify the police and obtain a copy of the accident report. Law enforcement records can serve as critical evidence in your case.
  
• Gather Evidence – Take photos of the accident scene, collect witness statements, and document any signs that the truck driver was medically unfit, such as erratic driving behavior before the crash.
  
• Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer – An experienced attorney can review your case, investigate the driver’s medical history, and help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.

If a trucking company failed to screen its drivers properly or ignored medical restrictions, it could also be held liable for negligence. Our legal team will work to uncover any violations of federal and state regulations to build a strong case on your behalf.

Contact us today at (856) 284-6446 or fill out the form on our website to book a free consultation. We don’t charge any fees unless we win your case.