Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving

On Behalf of | May 17, 2018 | Personal Injury Law

Thanks to public service initiatives, laws and tragic stories, Pennsylvanians are well aware of the dangers posed by drunk driving. These motorists can see their driving skills severely diminished as reaction time slows, the ability to multitask is impaired and maintaining a lane becomes extremely difficult. As dangerous as drunk driving is, though, it is not the only form of dangers driving. In fact, drowsy driving can post just as significant of a risk.

Being tired or fatigued while behind the wheel can seriously impair one’s ability to drive safely. It can diminish one’s ability to pay attention to the road, his or her reaction time can slow and decision-making skills can be negatively affected. In short, those who drive drowsy can suffer from many of the impairments felt by drunk drivers.

Making matters worse is the fact that drowsy driving is more common than many think. According to the CDC, one out of every 25 drivers over the age of 18 have reported that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once during the last month. It is estimated that as many as 6,000 traffic fatalities are caused by drowsy driving, with another 44,000 injuries and more than 70,000 accidents attributable to driving while tired or fatigued. Those who don’t sleep enough, truckers, those who work night shifts and those with sleep disorders are more likely to drive drowsy and cause one of these devastating accidents.

There hasn’t been as much attention paid to drowsy driving has there has been to drunk driving. However, when an individual is injured by either of these kinds of negligent drivers, then legal action is likely justified. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, victims who have been harmed in accidents caused by drunk or drowsy drivers may be able to help shine a light on the matter while at the same time recover compensation for their damages. After speaking with a qualified legal advocate, these individuals can get a better sense of the strength of their case and how best to proceed.

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