Drowsy Driving Is a Deadly Concern on Illinois Roadways

 Posted on November 06, 2020 in Fatigued Driver

If you are like most people, you probably deal with tiredness and fatigue from time to time. Studies show that most of us do not get as much sleep as we need. When a driver feels too sleepy to drive safely or starts to nod off at the wheel, he or she should pull off of the road and rest. Sleep deprivation can cause reduced concentration, shortened reaction time, cognitive lapses, and inattention to the road. If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident caused by someone who was sleepy or even asleep at the wheel, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages.

Sleep Deprivation’s Effect on the Brain

You may be surprised to learn that many experts consider drowsy driving to be just as dangerous as drunk driving. This is because the effects of sleep deprivation can be similar to the effects of alcohol. Being sleepy makes us slower to respond and less capable of sound decision-making. Sleep deprivation can mean the difference between avoiding a collision and being involved in a serious auto accident.

Drowsy Driving Crash Statistics

In one recent study, researchers found a profound connection between sleep deprivation and auto accidents. Adults are supposed to get 7-9 hours of rest on average. According to the study, individuals who slept only 5-6 hours the night before were twice as likely to be involved in an accident. Sleeping just 4-5 hours quadruples your chances of being in an accident. If a driver has slept less than 4 hours in a 24 hour period, he or she is a staggering 12 times more likely to be in a crash.

Bringing a Legal Claim After a Drowsy Driving Accident

If you were hurt in a drowsy driving accident or you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by a sleepy driver, you may have a valid personal injury or wrongful death claim. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Fortunately, you do not need to prove that the driver was too sleepy to bring a successful claim. Instead, you and your attorney will need to show that the driver acted negligently and that this negligence led to your injuries or your loved one’s death. Your attorney may use physical evidence, camera footage, eyewitness testimony, and other evidence to demonstrate the defendant’s negligence.

Contact a Waukegan Drowsy Driver Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident caused by sleepiness, contact Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. Call our office at 847-662-3303 today and schedule a free consultation with a skilled Lake County personal injury attorney from our firm.

Source:

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