While it’s recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night, this is not always the case. Life gets in the way, and some adults lack the proper amount of sleep necessary to function. If injured by a driver who was sleep deprived, understanding your rights if you’ve been injured is essential. The following blog explores the effects of sleep deprivation, why it’s crucial to get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel, and how Monmouth County car accident attorneys can help.
Why Is Sleep Deprivation Dangerous for Drivers?
When drivers who have not gotten an adequate amount of sleep get behind the wheel, several dangers can arise as a result. If a driver lacks sleep, their reaction time is impacted, meaning it is harder to avoid hazards. Similarly, someone who is exhausted is more likely to drift in and out of lanes putting themselves and others at risk.
Similarly, a driver may experience something known as a micro-sleep. This is when drivers fall asleep while driving for periods of two to five seconds.
It’s also believed that drivers who have not slept in over twenty hours are just as impaired as someone who is at the legal limit of intoxication. Generally, the more tired a driver is, the more dangerous it is to get behind the wheel.
What Are the Signs That Lack of Sleep Is Impacting Someone’s Ability to Drive?
There are symptoms of sleep deprivation that drivers should be aware of, as this can help prevent unnecessary accidents.
Drivers who feel like they cannot keep their eyes open or hold their heads up should stop driving. Similarly, if a driver cannot remember the past few minutes of traveling may be experiencing brain fog, which is a clear sign that exhaustion has set in.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured by a Drowsy Driver?
While drivers should find a safe place to pull over when they are exhausted, this is not always the case, as many drivers believe they can push past the tiredness, or they are in a rush to arrive at their destination. This means these drivers are at an increased risk of causing an accident.
If you’ve been injured by a driver asleep at the wheel, ensuring you take the necessary precautions to protect your best interest is essential. When possible, speaking with witnesses to confirm that the driver was asleep can help prove that the driver was liable for the injuries. Similarly, dashboard camera footage and security cameras may have captured footage of the collision, depicting the fact that the driver was sleeping at the time of the accident.
At the Wilton Law Firm, we understand how catastrophic car accident injuries can be. If you’ve suffered the effects of a drowsy driver, we can help. Contact our firm today to connect with a competent lawyer to help you recover the damages you are entitled to.
