Sleep problems are common in our society. However, being sleepy is not a defense for drivers in Indiana who cause vehicle accidents resulting in injuries. Drowsy driving is rampant, with some adults even falling asleep behind the wheel.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF DROWSY DRIVING?
Various factors are involved in drowsy driving cases that can cause car accidents. These include:
- Sleep deprivation, or not getting enough hours of sleep
- Sleep disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea
- Alcohol consumption
- Medications
- Time of day, with mid-afternoon and the hours between midnight and 6 a.m. being the peak times for sleepiness
WHY DROWSY DRIVING IS DANGEROUS
Even if a driver doesn’t fall asleep, drowsy driving is dangerous because people can close their eyes even for a few seconds and run off the road or miss hazards, thereby causing crashes, which can often be fatal.
Signs of drowsy driving are:
- Frequent yawning and closing of eyes
- An increase in blinking
- Loss of control, such as running into rumble strips on the highway
- Inability to remember where you are
- Missing an exit or a turn
- Difficulty maintaining proper speed
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A DROWSY DRIVER HITS ME?
If you have accident injuries that you believe have been caused by drowsy driving, especially during one of the most prone hours of the day, discovering what the driver was involved in before the incident can be crucial to your claim. Accidents caused by sleepy truck drivers trying to get to their destination are notorious but don’t ignore that possibility from drivers of other types of vehicles.
Performing a thorough discovery of the situation to determine if drowsy driving is involved can possibly help you prove your claim. The other motorist might be held financially responsible for your injuries.