Was your accident caused by driver fatigue?
Estimates are that 10 to 20% of fatal accidents and about 5 to 10% of all car accidents may be related to tired drivers. Lack of sleep is a common cause of driver fatigue, however, it can also be caused by medications. Driver fatigue can strike at any time, but is most common between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., the natural time for our bodies to be asleep. Also, the hypnotic rhythm of the road can actually induce sleepiness in an already fatigued driver at any time of the day.
Tiredness may affect your ability to drive a vehicle, by slowing or delaying your reaction times, well before you feel fatigued or sleepy. Fatigue related crashes are generally very severe due to the strong possibility that the driver has fallen asleep and failed to make any maneuvers to avoid a crash.
It is important to take breaks when driving long distances. Make sure you are well-rested when you drive and never drive when taking medications which can make you drowsy
Driver fatigue can seriously impair your driving skills.
Symptoms of driver fatigue include:
- Closing or heavy eyelids
- Yawning frequently
- Becoming fidgety or irritable
- Misjudging traffic situations
- Drifting into other lanes of traffic
- Varying speed erratically
- Seeing objects in the road that are not there
- Daydreaming
Drivers who begin to exhibit one or more of these symptoms should pull over to rest. Most major highways have areas for drivers to get out of the car and stretch. In more extreme cases of driver fatigue, the driver should pull over and rest until they feel once again refreshed and able to continue on the journey safely. If there is no designated rest area, be sure to pull off the highway or road as far as possible in order to avoid collisions by other motorists with the parked car.
Goldberg & Osborne’s car accident lawyers understand the dangers of drowsy driving and have handled numerous cases caused by driver fatigue.
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If you have been in a car accident, call for your free, no obligation consultation. We can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (800) 863-3074 or SUBMIT A SHORT AND SIMPLE CASE FORM HERE.
In addition, we can handle your case through telephone and email, and do not require you to visit our office. And best of all you pay no fees or costs unless you win. At Goldberg & Osborne, we are experienced car accident attorneys who take pride in our success. Call now for a no obligation assessment of your claim.
