Drowsy Driving is Hazard Driving

35 percent of Americans don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night, which often results in getting behind the wheel drowsy and exhausted. Despite what most motorists think, drowsy driving is not harmless. In fact, driving while drowsy and exhausted can result in serious accidents with tragic injuries. Nearly 20 percent of all serious car crash injuries are associated with driver sleepiness. Drowsy drivers are less likely to pay attention to the road and have a slower reaction time to braking and steering. The more cars on the road, the greater the likelihood that someone will get injured as a result.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a collision caused by drowsy driving, you may be entitled to compensation. Hiring an experienced and aggressive Los Angeles car crash attorney can help you get the full compensation that you deserve.

The Facts on Drowsy Driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States. The risk, danger, and often devastating results of drowsy driving are alarming. 

Drowsy driving is legally defined as the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. This generally occurs when motorists have not had enough sleep when they get behind the wheel. However, it can also happen as a result of untreated sleep disorders, taking medications that cause drowsiness, consuming alcohol, or shift working.

The CDC reports that an estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep while driving. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries and 795 deaths in 2017. However, these numbers are underestimated and up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers.

 Below are some additional facts about drowsy driving accidents, according to the NHTSA:

• Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. At both times of the day, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm—the human body’s internal clock that regulates sleep.
• Often involve only a single driver (and no passengers) running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking; and
• Frequently occur on rural roads and highways.

Getting Compensation for Drowsy Related Car Collisions

If you were injured in an accident caused by a drowsy motorist, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical bills
• Loss of wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Emotional pain and trauma
• Out of pocket expenses

To make sure you get the full money damages you deserve, immediately contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney.

Call Us!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a negligent party, you may be entitled to compensation. As a family member of a loved one who died in an accident, you may also be entitled to compensation. To ensure you get the full money damages you deserve, you need to consult with and hire a Los Angeles accident attorney.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an LA car accident lawyer, please call the Law Offices of Samer Habbas at 888-848-5084.

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