Sleepy Drivers Cause Severe Car Accidents
Most drivers are well aware of the more common hazards that plague the roads and threaten to cause accidents. Common risks for accidents like drunk driving, distracted driving, and poor car maintenance are well known but there is a behavior that is just as dangerous. Drowsy driving has the potential to cause accidents much like driving under the influence.
When people drive when they are tired and suffering from fatigue they run the risk of causing an accident due to all the negative effects that come with such drowsiness. Driving while fatigued actually accounts for a considerable amount of accidents and not just with regular cars. Truck accidents and motorcycle accidents are also just as much at risk when it comes to drowsy driving. Drivers should remain wary of drowsy drivers and take their own precautions when it comes to driving fatigue that could put themselves and others at risk.
Why is Drowsy Driving Dangerous?
When someone drives tired they are impairing their driving abilities to the point that they can cause an accident. When someone is sufficiently fatigued they can start to exhibit certain driving impairments. These can include:
- Poor Judgement
- Decreased Perception
- Slowed Reflexes
- Risk of Falling Asleep at the Wheel
- Inability to Concentrate
How Does Drowsy Driving Happen?
There are a number of reasons someone can end up fatigued while they are behind the wheel. Someone could be driving back from somewhere like a party at an especially late hour and try to make the drive after being awake for far too long. A common scenario is fatigue building up over time as someone drives for a long distance. Road trips and long distance driving is one of the most common scenarios for drowsy driving since staring at the road while sitting in the same position for several hours can cause someone to begin to glaze over from monotony.
Pretty much anyone can potentially drive drowsy. All age groups, both genders, and all kinds of vehicles are affected by this driving behavior but one group, in particular, is at especially high risk. Truck drivers have to drive for especially long periods of time and therefore run an especially high risk of driving tired. This is especially dangerous considering how destructive a 80,000 pound tractor-trailer can be when it is involved in an accident. Truck drivers are only allowed to drive a set amount of hours before they are required to enter a rest period but there are some that forego this either out of desperation to meet tight deadlines or out of irreverence of the rules.
What You can do to Ensure You Don’t Drive Drowsy
The best thing you can do is pretty simple. Do not be ashamed to pull over and rest your eyes for as long as it takes. It’s better to pull over and take a nap than do the alternative and cause an accident that injures you or someone else.
- Avoiding medication that can make you sleepy
- Taking a nap and getting enough sleep before driving
- Drinking coffee or energy drink to wake yourself up
- Maintain a good sleep schedule that will not coincide with your driving
- Drive with another person that can take over when you’re tired or help keep you awake
- Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven
- Missing your exit
- Drifting from your lane
- Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road
- Frequent yawning or blinking
- Sluggish steering
- Driving slower or faster than usual
Recognizing these warning signs of drowsy driving is imperative in order to avoid accidents. It is important to not only recognize these signs in oneself while driving but also in other drivers you are sharing the road with. Night is the time of greatest risk for encountering drowsy drivers but fatigue can potentially set in at any time of the day so it is best to always keep an eye out.
Drowsy Driving Accident Claims
Those that have been injured in an accident caused by someone driving while they were drowsy or tired may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with a car accident injury claim. Much like distracted driving or driving under the influence, drowsy driving is seen as negligent behavior that a driver should have known would put others at risk of injury. It is because of this that they are liable for any severe injuries that they may have caused.
It is strongly recommended that those seeking compensation for injuries caused by a drowsy driver hire an attorney experienced in handling car accident cases involving drowsy driving. The right lawyer can help provide insight and legal guidance regarding your pursuit of compensation.
Consider Sand Law as Your Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident caused by a drowsy driver then please contact Sand Law about a consultation on your claim. Our lawyers have years of experience handling car accident claims and recovering compensation for accident victims that have suffered damages in the form of medical expenses, lost wages, and general pain and suffering.
Consider contacting Sand Law about a possible personal injury claim and how we can assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries. Your primary concern should be recovery and we understand that balancing that with an injury claim can be difficult. Allow us to represent you and help secure a settlement you are comfortable with while you heal.
You can contact us online or call us at (651) 291-7263.
Sand Law LLC
7650 Currell Blvd #3140
Woodbury, MN 55125
Sand Law, LLC