While adequate sleep is an important component of overall health, many Americans don’t get enough. Sleep deprivation and fatigue not only affect quality of life.
In fact, drowsy driving significantly increases the risk of vehicle accidents – and is responsible for an estimated 6,400 fatalities each year, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Committed to keeping you safe behind the wheel, our car accident attorneys have provided more helpful details about drowsy driving crashes.
Here at The Mike Hostilo Law Firm, our team has handled a wide variety of car accident claims across Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. We understand the importance of healthy sleep – because we’re all too familiar with how terribly wrong things can go without it.
That said, it’s best to avoid driving if you notice the slightest sign of drowsiness. Even if your eyes drift closed for only a few moments, your chance of car accident injury rises. This not only puts you at risk, but other drivers on the road.
Drowsy driving can result in the following:
- Colliding with a tree or other object
- Running off the road into a ditch
- Drifting into a median
- Crashing into another vehicle
- Hitting a pedestrian
In most cases, as speed increases, so does the severity of the vehicle accident. From physical injury to property damage, the faster you’re driving, the more serious the wreck.
Numerous factors could cause drowsy or distracted driving. The following people are most likely to drive while drowsy or fall asleep behind the wheel, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- Drivers who do not get a reasonable amount of sleep (at least 7 to 8 hours)
- Commercial drivers/operators of tow trucks, tractor trailers, buses, etc.
- Shift workers pulling night shifts or long shifts
- Drivers on lengthy road trips who do not want to stop for rest
- Patients on medications that cause drowsiness
- Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- People suffering from sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, etc.
- Teenagers with inadequate driving experience who don’t get enough sleep
Sometimes fatigue is inevitable. We’ve all spent nights tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. But if you detect any sign of drowsiness, do not get behind the wheel. Driving drowsy is never worth the risk. Fatigue can impact you on the job as well, all too often resulting in painful injury and Workers’ Compensation claims.
If you’ve been injured in a drowsy driving crash, the car accident lawyers at The Mike Hostilo Law Firm can help. We’ll use police reports, eyewitness testimony, and other evidence to strengthen your case, working hard to see justice done. Trust our team to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company – and to handle your car accident claim from start to finish.
We are passionate about getting you the compensation you’re entitled to. Our car accident lawyers are available 24/7, so get in touch today!
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