Car Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue
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Fatigued or drowsy driving is a serious problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2013, 72,000 crashes were the result of fatigued driving. An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep at the wheel in the previous 30 days.
The injuries sustained in an accident caused by a driver asleep at the wheel can be very serious. Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel are not reacting to the environment around them. They won’t have the ability to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision such as braking or swerving. This can lead to severe impact.
Drivers Who are More Likely to be Fatigued
While anyone who doesn’t get enough sleep is prone to fatigued driving, there are certain drivers who are more prone to it than others. This includes:
- Commercial drivers who operate vehicles such as trucks and buses
- Individuals who do shift work working nights and/or long shifts
- Drivers with untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
- Drivers who use prescription or over the counter medication that makes them drowsy.
Fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. Truck drivers are known to drive long hours on busy highways and are particularly prone to fatigue. In addition, many truck drivers work at night or may have an untreated sleep disorder.
Signs that You are Too Fatigued to Drive
Unfortunately, there’s no drowsiness test that would compare to a blood alcohol test for drunk drivers. Drivers have to rely on their own judgment when deciding whether they are too drowsy to drive. Some signs that you may be too fatigued to drive include:
- Yawning
- Frequent blinking
- Struggling to keep your eyes open
- Trouble remembering the past few miles driven
- Drifting out of your lane
- Missing your turn or exit
If any of these signs are present while driving, you should pull over as soon as possible to avoid putting yourself and others at risk of serious injury.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident with a fatigued driver, you should have an experienced car accident attorney evaluate your case. The injury law team at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have over 30 years of experience helping Floridians injured in car accidents. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation today.