Drowsy driving is a factor in many deadly car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 795 people died in drowsy driving accidents in 2017 alone. However, many people believe that the number of people killed in drowsy driving accidents might be much higher. There is no roadside test to determine whether a person might have been fatigued while driving, and many of the factors leading to accidents could also be attributable to fatigue. Was your accident the result of another driver drifting into your lane or into an oncoming lane, was it the result of a rear-end collision, or was it due to speeding? While these might be the immediate causes of your crash, fatigue could potentially have been the ultimate cause of your accident.
What are some risk-factors that can make it more likely that a driver will get behind the wheel fatigued? And what can you do if you think your car accident might have been the result of fatigued driving? The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a car accident law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota that can investigate the causes of your crash, identify negligent parties, and fight to help you get the settlement you may deserve. Victims of drowsy driving may be entitled to seek damages for their losses under the law. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino may be able to help you.
Factors that Can Lead to Fatigued Driving
A range of factors can lead to a person getting behind the wheel fatigued. Truck drivers are at particular risk because they are on the road for long periods of time and are required to drive long distances. While there are federal hours of service laws in place that limit how long a truck driver is permitted to be behind the wheel in a given shift, even when drivers don’t exceed these limits, they can still be tired. That said, when a truck accident takes place, officials can look at the truck driver’s logs to determine whether he or she might have violated hours of service laws. Fatigued driving may play a role in many truck accidents. According to an industry veteran speaking to the New York Times, he estimates as many as 70% of truck accidents could be the result of fatigued driving.
When it comes to determining whether a passenger vehicle driver might have been fatigued, it can be more difficult. However some factors could indicate that a person might have been tired behind the wheel. These factors can include:
- A driver who has left a long shift or double shift at work.
- A driver who has left a party or gathering that went late into the night.
- A driver who is driving long distances across the country.
- A driver who has been taking sleep medication or who is using other types of medication that can interfere with sleep or that can cause drowsiness.
These are just some of the factors that can play a role in fatigued driving. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a car accident law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota that may be able to review the facts of your crash and determine whether the other driver might have been tired behind the wheel. If another driver was responsible for your accident, you may have the right to seek damages. Reach out to our law firm today to learn more.
Dangers of Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is dangerous. In fact, if a driver has not slept in some time, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a driver who hasn’t slept in 17 hours could be just as impaired as a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05. And a driver who hasn’t slept in 24 hours could be just as impaired as a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1. Exhaustion and sleepiness can impact a person’s judgement, reaction time, and ability to perform the motor skills required to properly drive a vehicle.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident and you think a fatigued driver might have caused your crash, you may have the right to seek damages for your lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a car accident law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota that works with car accident victims to help them seek justice after a crash. You and your family may only have a limited amount of time to seek damages following an accident. Connect with our attorney today or reach out to USAttorneys.com to get matched with the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino.