Drowsy driving, also known as fatigued driving, is a bigger problem than you might think. Much too often, motorists get behind the wheel of a car without getting enough sleep the previous night, or after taking a medication that makes them too drowsy to drive safely.
Fatigued driving accidents can happen for many reasons, from the motorist falling asleep behind the wheel to the driver being too fatigued to properly focus on the task of driving. Drowsy driving is a particular problem within the trucking industry. Since truck drivers are on the road for extended periods of time, fatigued driving accidents can happen if truckers do not get enough rest.
Whether a truck driver or another passenger car driver caused the fatigued driving crash in which you got hurt, as an experienced Columbus accident attorney, I can help you hold them accountable.
What Columbus Drivers Should Know About Fatigued Driving Accidents
Have you ever driven home from work after a long day when you find yourself dozing off at a red light? Have you been on the road for hours on a family road trip when you find your eyelids starting to droop? These are common ways in which drowsy or fatigued driving can cause a serious accident and injuries.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as many as one out of every 25 drivers has fallen asleep behind the wheel of a car in the last month. Every year, drowsy driving is known to cause at least 72,000 collisions and 44,000 injuries, and it is likely that the figure is much higher.
How do you know if you are too fatigued to get behind the wheel of a car? The National Sleep Foundation cites the following as common signs that you are too drowsy to drive:
- You are having difficulty focusing on the road;
- You find yourself daydreaming while driving;
- You are blinking frequently, or your eyelids wheel heavy;
- You cannot clearly remember the last few miles you drove;
- You missed your exit;
- You cannot keep your head up;
- You are drifting from your lane, or you hit the rumble strip; and/or
- You are feeling restless or irritable while driving.
Timeline for Filing Your Drowsy Driving Lawsuit in Columbus
Do not miss the chance to file your fatigued driving lawsuit. Under Ohio law, you likely will have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.
Contact a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer
Drowsy or fatigued driving is a serious problem that leads to injuries and deaths every year. While most of us know better than to get behind the wheel of a car when we are tired or fatigued, a lot of us do it anyway. When a motorist cannot stay awake or cannot focus on the road, other people can suffer serious and even fatal injuries.
If you were injured in a drowsy driving accident, or if you lost a loved one because of a fatigued driver’s negligence, I can get started on your claim today. As an aggressive Columbus accident lawyer, I have years of experience representing plaintiffs in these types of cases. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call me at 877.614.9524 for more information about filing a car accident claim and seeking compensation.
