Driving while drowsy or fatigued is a form of negligent driving that commonly leads to car accidents. So if you are involved in a car accident with. fatigued driver, you should do everything in your power to seek justice. Follow along to find out how sleep deprivation leads to car accidents and how a proficient Pike County, KY car accident lawyer at Shane Hall Attorney At Law, PLLC can help you through your situation.
What are the statistics on fatigued driving?
First off, fatigued driving is when a driver operates a motor vehicle while being cognitively impaired by a lack of sleep. A driver may not be aware that they are too sleep deprived to drive, as the signs are difficult to identify.
The following are some statistics on fatigued driving, some according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- There are approximately 100,000 police-reported fatigued driving accidents every year.
- There are approximately 50,000 injuries due to fatigued driving accidents every year.
- There are approximately 800 fatalities due to fatigued driving accidents every year.
- Fatigued drivers are three times more likely to get into a car accident than typical drivers.
- Fatigued driving is commonly seen in teens who do not get enough sleep.
- Fatigued driving is commonly seen in individuals who take certain prescription medications.
How can sleep deprivation lead to car accidents?
Essentially, driving while sleep deprived has a similar impact as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. More specifically, it is proven that driving after being without sleep for 20 or more hours is the equivalent of driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08 percent or more (i.e., the BAC legal limit recognized by the United States).
For one, a fatigued driver’s reaction times, awareness of road hazards, and ability to pay attention are all diminished.
In addition, a driver may experience a micro-sleep, which is an involuntary period of inattention. In this usual four- to five-second period of time, a driver may be out of control of their motor vehicle while traveling the length of a football field. And with that, some sort of crash or collision may occur.
What should I do if I am involved in a car accident with a fatigued driver?
With all things considered, if you have been made the victim of a car accident caused by a fatigued driver, then you must bring forward a personal injury claim. For your claim, you should take the following steps immediately after your accident:
- Call the police to the scene of your accident.
- Take photos and videos of your injuries, car damages, and the overall scene of your accident.
- Collect the other party’s contact information.
- Collect any witnesses’ contact information.
- Seek medical attention at the scene and at follow-up appointments.
And last but not least, you should retain the services of a talented Pike County, KY auto accident lawyer. We look forward to working with you.
