Far too many people take to the road when they’re too tired to give their driving the attention it deserves. In fact, the CDC has found that as many as 1 out of every 25 people has fallen asleep behind the wheel within the last month. It’s no surprise, then, that even more individuals admit to driving while drowsy.
The impact of drowsy driving
This type of driving is extremely dangerous. Statistics show that thousands of people die each year in car accidents caused by drowsy driving, with thousands more suffering serious injuries. Making matters worse is that it’s estimated that there are more than 100,000 drowsy driving accidents each year.
Those who are fortunate enough to survive one of these wrecks can be left with long-term injuries that are painful, limiting, and expensive to treat. Families of those who are lost can face emotional and financial struggles that can last for years or even decades.
How drowsy driving leads to accidents
Being sleepy behind the wheel can affect nearly every driving skill. Drowsiness can lead to decreased reaction times, decreased awareness of one’s surroundings, and an inability to focus on the road and stay in one’s lane. In fact, studies have shown that operating a vehicle after 20 or more hours of awake time is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration that’s above the legal limit.
What this all means for you
All of this means that if you were injured in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, then you need to consider taking legal action to offset your damages and shine a light on this ongoing danger. It can be an involved process that takes time to play out, but you can seek guidance navigating your claim so that you can position yourself as best as possible for a positive outcome. Hopefully then you can recover what you need to focus on your recovery.