The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted research by taking a look at dashboard videos from 700 accidents and found that at least 9.5% of them took place due to drowsy driving, showing us that the issue of driving while exhausted is becoming a bigger problem than we once thought. With work and family time taking out a big chunk of your day, drowsy driving can take place at any time, wreaking havoc on a family. Our West Virginia personal injury attorneys are here for you after you have been injured in an accident at the hands of a drowsy driver as you navigate the legal system.
The Impact Fatigue Can Have on Your Driving Skills
No matter when you are driving – late at night, early in the morning, or after a particularly long work shift, you might be feeling so tired that it becomes difficult to keep your eyes open. Even those who were well-rested but are on long driving trips where they’re staring at the roadways for long hours or those who are bored while driving can experience fatigue while driving. Many people believe that drowsy driving is not the worst act that you can engage in on our roads, but studies show that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving in some scenarios.
Just like driving drunk, if you have been involved in an accident and you believe that a drowsy driver is at fault, you will be able to make a claim against a driver for their negligent actions. However, how will you be able to do so when it is difficult to determine that a driver was actually falling asleep at the wheel at the time of the crash? Somebody who was drifting off to sleep while driving might not even remember the circumstances leading up to the accident and might try to deny that the accident was actually their fault. This is why it is important and essential to have a legal advocate on your side to protect your rights.
Holding a Drowsy Driver Liable for the Accident They Have Caused
Drowsy drivers lack the ability to avoid some dangerous situations when sharing our roadways. When a driver has fallen asleep at the wheel, they might partake in a dangerous scenario, such as swerving to the side, which could make the accident more forceful in nature and could lead to catastrophic injuries in the blink of an eye. Some of the most dangerous and deadly accidents that stem from drowsy driving are head-on collisions, which are more likely than we might think. One way to tell that a driver was sleeping at the time of the accident is the fact that a drowsy driver will forget to apply their brakes before impact. This can also lead to worse damages in an accident.
Having a personal injury attorney on your side can ensure that your rights are protected after a West Virginia car accident as you work toward reimbursement for your losses. Holding a drowsy driver liable for their actions can help you receive compensation for aspects like lost wages from missed work, medical bills, and more when you need them most. At Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, we will stand by your side and help you work toward results as you navigate every step of the legal system. Please contact us at 304-431-4050 to find out what we can do for you.