Falling Asleep While Driving
Drowsy driving in America has many effects on drivers. It makes drivers less able to pay attention while driving, slows overall reaction time, and affects the ability to make quick and reliable decisions. Over a 30-day time period, 1 in 25 adult drivers says that they have driven on the roads even though they were tired. Many people who fall asleep at the wheel have untreated sleep disorders, do not get enough sleep every night, are commercial drivers or shift workers, or use medications that make them sleepy.
Drowsy Driving: Too Much Like Drunk Driving?
Many studies show us that drowsy driving isn’t just being a little sleepy after a long day – it’s enough to severely impact the way we drive and make important roadway decisions. We should all know this because it could very well risk our lives if we choose to drive while tired. Studies have shown us that drowsy driving affects our bodies similarly to drinking alcohol. In fact, research shows that being awake for over 18 hours at a time can have the same effects as driving with a blood-alcohol level of .05. This means that if you have been awake for longer than a day, you could be driving with the equivalent of a blood alcohol level of .10. Many drivers drive drowsy every day, which means that you could be at risk and not know until it is too late.
Fault in Drowsy Driving Incidents
After an accident and the other driver is at fault, you build a case to show that negligence has led to your accident. But did you know that it isn’t easy to show that a driver was falling asleep on the road at the time of your accident? Some state statutes even make it a requirement to show that a driver was awake for 24 hours before the accident occurred, such as speaking to people in their workplace and discovering that they worked, went out to eat with friends, and then continued to drive. You may even be able to show this evidence by bringing up the fact that the person takes a medication that makes them fall asleep easily.
Those who fall asleep at the wheel, and this fact has been proven, could suffer from criminal penalties like reckless driving alongside your civil case for compensation. If you can show evidence, you may be able to collect damages for elements like medical bills associated with your accident, lost wages when you’ve had to miss work, or emotional suffering from reliving the accident and the effect it has left on your life. Luckily, at the Accident Law Group, we are here for you in your time of need when you have been injured due to the negligence of another party. Call us today for more information on how we can help in your time of need at 602-262-4254.
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