These days, many West Virginia citizens go to work early in the morning, only to spend many hours in front of a desk or in a warehouse doing manual labor. We spend long hours on the roads and sometimes don’t get enough sleep. Because of this, drowsy driving accidents can take place in the blink of an eye, forever changing the lives of those involved.
What is Drowsy Driving?
Drowsy driving is any type of driving that takes place when you are fatigued. It has become a major issue across the U.S., leading to serious injuries and even fatalities during a serious crash caused by a driver who did not get enough sleep. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that the act of drowsy driving led to 72,000 accidents, 44,000 injuries, and 800 fatalities across the U.S. in 2013 alone – and these numbers only continue to rise.
These accidents continue to happen every year for a variety of reasons including a driver who has not had an adequate amount of sleep, someone who suffers from a sleep disorder, or somebody who is taking certain medications that make them drowsy. There are many risks associated with drowsy driving, as a driver could easily lose control of their vehicle when this action occurs. For instance, a driver could have a slower reaction time, which means that they might not be able to avoid hazards on our roads. It can also give you the equivalent of driving with a high blood-alcohol concentration. You are approximately three times as likely to become involved in a car accident if you are driving while tired, which is why rest is so important before driving.
Making a Case Against a Drowsy Driver
Being injured in one of these accidents can be a devastating issue but highly preventable. Because of this, you might be able to hold a driver liable for their acts if they have caused your accident due to driving while fatigued. A driver who chooses to drive while sleepy is violating the duty of care that they owe to others on our roads. You must be able to show that the other driver is at fault. If you can show that the driver was awake for a long period of time or exhibited signs of drowsiness, you might be able to compensate for a variety of damages.
How Our West Virginia Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
There are many aspects involved in these cases that you might not be able to handle on your own, such as obtaining a police report to use in your case, gathering the right types of evidence, speaking with witnesses, and many other aspects you should not have to worry about when you are recovering from your injuries. If you believe that another party was responsible for your West Virginia car accident, you need an attorney on your side who will help you bring a personal injury claim for damages you deserve. Please contact us at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner for the help you deserve at (304) 713-2014.