Are Drowsy Drivers as Dangerous as Drunk Drivers?

 Posted on August 27,2020 in Fatigued Driver

If you are like most adults, you probably do not get as much sleep as you wish you did. Whether it is a crying infant, noisy neighbor, early morning work meeting, or other factors, getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night can be a challenge. However, being sleep deprived can significantly lower concentration, attention, reaction time, and cognitive functioning. Because these are the exact skills needed to drive, sleep deprivation dramatically reduces a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. The problem is so bad that one in five fatal car accidents are thought to involve a fatigued driver.

The Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Driving Ability

By now, most people have heard about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and distracted driving. However, little attention is given to the hidden risks of fatigued driving. According to a study conducted by AAA, drivers who get one to two hours less than the recommended amount of sleep at night are twice as likely to be involved in a car accident. Divers who get three to four hours less than the recommended amount of sleep are four times more likely to be involved in a car crash. If a driver sleeps for less than 4 hours during a 24 hours period, he or she is an astounding 11.5 times likelier to be in a collision. The level of impairment caused by severe sleep deprivation is comparable to being over the legal blood alcohol (BAC) limit.

Personal Injury Claims Involving Accidents Caused by Drowsy Driving

Getting behind the wheel when you are too sleepy to drive safely puts yourself and other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians in danger. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident or truck accident caused by a sleep-deprived driver, you know just how dangerous drowsy driving can be. You or your loved one may have suffered severe injuries that required extensive medical treatment and time off of work. The financial losses incurred in the accident may have left you or your loved one nearly bankrupt. One option that may enable you to recover compensation for these and other damages is a car accident injury claim. Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer to learn more.

Contact a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident caused by a sleepy driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. Call Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. at 847-662-3303 and schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation to discuss all of your legal options with one of our skilled Lake County personal injury attorneys.

Sources:

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2016/12/drowsy-driving-worse-than-drunk-driving

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aaa-study-drowsy-driving-dangers-comparable-to-drunk-driving/