Driver fatigue is a major factor in up to 20% of fatal car accidents in the United States each year. Although there is strong debate that driver fatigue is under represented in accident statistics each year. With distracted drivers on their cell phones or eating in the car and reckless drivers terrorizing drivers and pedestrians alike, it seems that driver fatigue may not be a legitimate claim for causation of car accidents. However, drowsiness hinders driver perception and reflex responses making driver fatigue a leading cause for auto accidents every day.
There can be a multitude of symptoms that let drivers know their bodies are tired. Car accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates has seen the devastating affects of car accidents in California and across the country. It is very important for car drivers to learn auto accident prevention techniques against driver fatigue – for in the aggregate, it may save thousands of lives every year.
In more extreme cases, it is always safest for a driver to pull over to the side of the road, stretch, for a few minutes, before getting back on the road. In extreme cases of driver fatigue, the driver should pull over, take a few minutes to rest or nap, and then proceed driving once feeling refreshed. In fact, many major highways provide rest stops for this very purpose – as to avoid any unnecessary or unintentional vehicle accidents as a result of driver fatigue, distraction, or negligence. If you are involved in an accident with a driver who was fatigued or sleeping, immediately contact a car accident lawyer who can help you to pursue a case against the responsible party. Possible bodily and vehicle injuries that should not have to be covered with out of pocket expenses if you were not at fault.
Driver fatigue is comparable to distracted driving behavior. When fatigued, drivers have much slower reaction rates to immediate situations and are more concerned with staying awake while driving than with their surroundings. If you try to fight off the sleep, you may actually in fact fall into a microsleep and briefly lose consciousness when on a road or freeway. The thought of not having control of a vehicle weighing in at thousands of pounds is an extremely scary thought that could potentially lead to a wrongful death of yourself or another innocent driver in a vehicle crash or trucking accident.
To avoid such situations from occurring, there are some tips to follow:
1. Do not drink while driving – as recent studies have shown that alcohol consumption can be correlated with stronger tendencies for drowsiness and fatigue
2. Try to get adequate sleep or rest prior to any car rides
3. Be alert, attentive, and safe when driving so as to minimize any reckless behaviors that may lead to car accidents by other drivers
4. If all else fails – pull over and sleep it off!
Inability to properly address your driving fatigue may require further medical attention. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident with a driver who practiced negligent driving behavior, contact California car accident lawyer Emery Ledger who can help you receive the full and comprehensive compensation you deserve. Call (800) 300-0001 or visit the website at www.LedgerLaw.com
