Drowsy Driving In Florida Can Be Just As Risky As Drunk Driving
Drinking alcohol and driving are two things that most motorists understand shouldn’t go together. Most motorists know about the potential consequences of drunk driving. However, did you know that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving? According to the National Sleep Foundation, each year, an estimated 100,000 crashes result from driver fatigue, and every year approximately 1,500 people die in fatigue-related crashes. Unfortunately, because the number of people who admit to driving while exhausted is high, the threat of drowsy driving remains high.
Driver Fatigue
According to the CDC, driver fatigue often occurs when a motorist fails to get enough or quality sleep. Generally, motorists can end up being fatigued if they;
- stay awake for many consecutive hours
- don’t get adequate sleep over multiple days
- work long or night shifts
Additionally, using medications that cause drowsiness can also cause driver fatigue.
Signs of Driver Fatigue
Some of the common signs of driver fatigue include;
- Blinking or yawning frequently
- Delayed reactions
- Drifting from your lane
- Cloudy thoughts
- Blurred vision
- Missing exits
- Confused speech
How Drowsy Driving Compares To Drunk Driving
According to the CDC, drowsy driving is similar to drunk driving. Drowsiness can affect your reaction time and alertness in the same way alcohol can. Drunk driving and drowsiness can lead to impaired attention, judgment, decision making, and mental processing. When your reaction time, alertness, judgment, decision making, cognitive processing, or concentration is impaired, it becomes easy for you to get into an accident.
The CDC claims that driving a car after staying awake for more than 17 hours is the same as driving a vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.05%. Driving after being awake for a whole day is believed to be the same as operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.10%, which is higher than the legal BAC limit of 0.08%.
Additionally, according to research, when people are exhausted, they risk suffering an increased effect after taking even low amounts of alcohol. That means that a combination of drowsiness and alcohol can have devastating consequences.
Recovering Compensation After a Florida Drowsy Driving Accident
After a drowsy driving accident, you have the right to sue an at-fault motorist and obtain compensation. Suppose you were involved in an accident with a drowsy driver and sustained severe injuries. In that case, you need to consult an attorney immediately to receive help.
An attorney can help you obtain compensation for damages such as;
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost earning capacity
Contact Us for Legal Help
If a drowsy motorist severely injured you, reach out to a skilled attorney to protect your legal rights. Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help fight for your legal rights. We understand the adverse effects a car accident can have on an individual’s life, and we strive to ensure our clients obtain the payment they deserve for damages incurred. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm represents clients in the Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, and Bradenton areas.
Resource:
cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/drowsy_driving.html
