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Drowsy Driving – A Bigger Problem Than Previously Believed

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
woman yawning while drivingA recent groundbreaking study from the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that about 10 percent of all crashes involve drivers who are tired. Previous U.S. government statistics attribute only one to two percent of accidents to drowsy driving.

Drowsy Driving Dangers

Drowsy driving accidents can cause devastating injuries, often forcing victims to undergo expensive medical treatment, lose wages while taking time off work to recover, and experience mental and physical pain and suffering. Driving while fatigued is an underreported traffic safety issue, because it is difficult to detect. To learn more about the issue, AAA conducted the most in-depth research on drowsy driving ever conducted in the United States. AAA’s study analyzed dashcam footage from 701 car crashes collected from a federally funded study that continuously monitored 3,593 drivers for several months. By observing how often drivers blinked during the three minutes leading up to the crashes, researchers were able to determine if the drivers were drowsy at the time of the crash. The study concluded that drowsiness was a factor in 9.5 percent of all collisions and 10.8 percent of collisions resulting in serious property damage, airbag deployment or injury. These results are nearly eight times higher than federal estimates. According to AAA, drowsy driving significantly increases the risk of an accident causing injuries or property damage. Drivers who slept less than seven hours the night before are at a much higher risk of being involved in an accident. This risk is equivalent to drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. Drowsy driving also becomes a greater problem after dark. The proportion of drowsy driving accidents that occurred during nighttime hours was more than three times greater than accidents during daylight hours.

Preventing Drowsy Driving

Knowing the symptoms of drowsiness can help drivers recognize the problem and take action to avoid collisions. Symptoms include:
  • Drifting from the lane
  • Difficulty keeping your eyes open
  • Difficulty remembering the previous miles driven
  • Difficulty keeping your head up
  • Wandering thoughts
  • Frequent yawning
  • Blurry eyes
  • Missing exits and other road signs or signals
  • Tires hitting rumble strips
You can prevent drowsy driving by following these safety tips:
  • Sleep for at least seven hours every night.
  • Travel during periods of the day when you are normally awake.
  • Do not take medications that cause drowsiness or impairment.
  • Schedule rest breaks every two hours or 100 miles on longer trips.
  • Drive with a passenger who stays alert and who can take over driving duties if needed.
  • Take a quick 20- to 30-minute nap at a rest stop to improve alertness.
  • Do not drive after drinking alcohol.

Contact Our Lawyers for Help

The car accident attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm are committed to helping accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We will investigate your case, gather evidence to support your claim, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Request a free, no obligation consultation today. We will discuss your case and help you determine what legal options are available in your situation. When working with our firm, payment is only due if we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today at (916) 777-7777 today.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.