Driving While Fatigued or Drowsy

The Dangers of Driving While Fatigued or Tired

Driving while fatigued or drowsy is a disastrous combination. Most people today appear to be aware of the dangers of drunk driving but are unaware that driving while fatigued can prove equally fatal. Just like alcohol, drowsiness slows down and impairs judgment, decrease awareness and significantly slows your reaction time, thereby increasing your chances of causing a fatal crash.

What Is Fatigue?

Fatigue is described as a state of exhaustion caused by overexertion, either physical or mental, or simply not getting enough sleep. Exhaustion, drowsiness, and tiredness all have different meanings from a clinical and linguistic perspective but are often used interchangeably when it comes to road safety. There are several factors that can cause fatigue or drowsiness when driving and they include:

• Lack of sleep – people who suffer from sleep deprivation at night are more likely to drive while fatigued.
• Emotional & Physical distress – unhealthy work patterns can also cause severe exhaustion and the inevitable possibility of crashing due to drowsiness and fatigue.
• Medical conditions – people with medical conditions that require the use of sedatives are also advised not to be behind the wheel while taking such medications.
• If you have any questions pertaining to your case, contact our accident lawyers in Sacramento immediately.

Every driver has a responsibility to adhere to safety precautions for themselves and everyone else on the road. Driving while fatigued is not only dangerous but it is also extremely negligent and entirely preventable. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident because of a fatigued driver, don’t wait to speak with accident lawyers in Sacramento. Driving while tired is never worth someone’s life. Research has established that sleepiness or fatigue causes:

• Reduced vigilance, alertness, and motivation.
• Impaired reaction time, poor vision and misplaced judgment.
• Increased aggression.
• Challenges in information processing particularly in the short term memory.

The dangers of fatigued driving and drowsiness are unlimited. In fact, some of the most fatal accidents are caused by fatigue and sleepiness. This is one of the reasons why most states are considering legislation allowing law enforcement agencies to charge drowsy and fatigued drivers with criminal negligence whenever they cause accidents.

Determining Fatigue Was the Cause of an Accident

It is next to impossible to tell whether the cause of an accident was due to fatigued driving or drowsiness. However, there are a number of factors that investigators rely on that can determine whether a driver was asleep at the wheel. One of the indicators that the driver was either fatigued or asleep at the wheel is when either the driver or the passengers of a vehicle are the only ones that suffered fatalities.

In most cases, drowsy and fatigued driving accidents only involve a single car. This is a clear indication that the driver was either distracted or drifting off into deep slumber. Another clue the driver was fatigued is when there are no evasive skid marks on the road, which normally shows the driver’s attempts to prevent the accident. Except for the few pointers mentioned above, there is absolutely no way to tell if the driver was either drowsy or fatigued during an accident. This makes attributing crashes to fatigued drivers difficult for the ordinary individual and is a very good reason why you should contact one of our accident lawyers in Sacramento if you suspect someone else’s drowsy driving caused your injuries.

Speak with a Lawyer about Your Car Accident Injuries

Our firm has the knowledge and experience so contact our firm and speak with one of our accident lawyers in Sacramento. If you were injured due to the negligence of someone else, it is important you get legal help. The Weinberger Law Firm is here to support and legally represent you in your car accident claim. Call (916) 357-6767 today for a free consultation.

What to Do after a Car Accident
Car accidents can happen anytime, anywhere and to anybody. Being prepared and knowing what to do after a car collision happens is very important, as well as what not to do. Learn more about What To Do After A Car Accident and make sure you are ready to handle the unexpected and speak with a skilled Sacramento accident attorney who can evaluate your case and decide the best course of legal action.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento Immediately If You’ve Suffered Injuries from a Car Accident

With over 20 years of experience helping victims get the justice they deserve, we have the resources, dedication, and compassion to get you the compensation you deserve during this difficult time in your life.

Call (916) 357-6767 today for a free consultation with our auto accident lawyer in Sacramento regarding your auto accident injury case.