Driving while tired is not an isolated issue, or one reserved just for truck drivers. In fact, over 1/4 of respondents in a recent study admitted to driving drowsy to or from work at least a few days a month and 37% admitted to falling asleep at the wheel in the last year. Unfortunately, drowsy driving is dangerous and is the cause behind many auto accidents in the San Fernando Valley and across the country.
Fatigued Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety administration, approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. These accidents result in over 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was caused by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, you have legal rights. Discuss your potential for financial recovery with an experienced accident attorney.
Driving while tired or sleepy is a form of distracted driving and reduces a person’s ability to remain alert and attentive while on the road. Fatigue can impair reaction time and decision making when behind the wheel, increasing the risk of causing a serious accident. What’s more, tired drivers generally do not even realize how tired they are, as fatigue greatly impairs one’s ability to accurately determine one’s level of fatigue.
Who’s At Risk?
While driving when tired can affect anyone, the drivers considered most at risk for causing accidents as a result of their drowsy driving are young drivers (adults between 18-29), shift workers (including heavy vehicle drivers), and drivers with sleep disorders. What’s more, men are more likely than women to drive while drowsy. Research indicates that a person who has been awake for 17 hours faces the same risk of a crash as a person who has a blood alcohol reading of 0.05%. And not surprisingly, drivers who have been awake for 24 hours are seven times more likely to have an auto accident.
What to Do After a Drowsy Driving Accident
If you or a loved one are injured in an auto accident caused by a drowsy driver, know that California law and experienced auto accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg are on your side. Contact attorney Barry P. Goldberg today for a free consultation to discuss your potential for financial recovery, including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
