One person was killed and another person was injured in a Chisago crash on Tuesday, June 29th. According to CBS Minnesota, the crash took place at around 9:25 p.m. The accident occurred because a driver veered into the wrong lane, then overcorrected. Because of the speed of the overcorrection, the car rolled over into a ditch, killing one passenger and injuring the driver.
Unfortunately, many car crashes are preventable. The car accident that took place in Chisago is still under investigation, but many crashes that occur later at night could be prevented by ensuring that drivers are well-rested and not sleepy.
Drowsy driving is as dangerous as intoxicated driving. According to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 60% of Americans have driven while feeling sleepy.
While sleepiness can affect judgment, and reaction time, leading to accidents, there are several indications provided by the National Sleep Foundation that can help one determine whether one is too tired to be on the road.
If you find yourself hitting the rumble strip, having trouble keeping your head up, find it difficult to remember the last miles driven, feel like your eyelids are heavy, yawn frequently, or have difficulty focusing, you are probably too tired to be driving.
Many people simply do not understand how easy it is to lose consciousness while driving in an extremely fatigued state.
The National Sleep Foundation in Partnership with the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that if a driver falls asleep for even a few seconds, at 65 miles per hour, a person can drive the length of a football field without being conscious. In that span of time, the car could roll into a ditch, veer off into oncoming traffic, or drift into other lanes. The consequences are injuries, loss of life, damaged property, and years of recovery for victims involved.
One in six traffic fatalities can be attributable to drowsy driving.
Car accidents take an immense personal and financial toll on the individuals involved. If a driver chooses to drive while tired, there are consequences. Persons who get into accidents while driving in a compromised state can be held financially responsible for the damages.
If you have suffered a personal injury from a car accident as a result of drowsy driving or negligence, it is important to understand that the law affords protections to ensure that individuals who are responsible are held accountable for their actions. Individuals might be entitled to compensation if they have suffered a wrongful death or personal injury due to another person’s fatigued driving. An accident lawyer can help investigate the causes of an accident and help you receive the maximum compensation allowable under the law.
Death of a family member can take a toll on relatives and loved ones. Injuries result in lost time at work, physical therapy, and pain and suffering. The Law Office of Martin T. Montillo is a Minneapolis, Minnesota law firm dedicated to ensuring that justice is served for accident victims.
If you have suffered a loss of a loved one, a severe injury, or have been in a car accident, contact the Law Office of Martin T. Montillo today to learn more about how you can protect your rights.