Portland car accident lawyers discuss the dangers of drowsy driving and how to prevent it.
Tired drivers are more common than you might suspect, according to a recent poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), which found that more than half of all drivers admitted to driving while drowsy.
"Drowsy driving is impaired driving," Joseph Dzierzewski, the NSF's vice president of research and scientific affairs, said in an interview with HealthDay News. "We see that while most Americans believe drowsy driving is risky, they still drive when not fully alert. The good news is — drowsy driving is preventable."
Drowsy drivers and drivers who fall asleep at the wheel often cause serious or fatal car accidents. If you or someone you care about was hit by a drowsy driver in Maine, contact Jabar LaLiberty, LLC today to see how an experienced Portland car accident attorney can help you.
How common is drowsy driving?
The numbers don't lie. Drowsy driving happens at an alarming rate across the country. According to a recent NSF study, an estimated 37 million Americans drive drowsy at least once a year. That's based on the recent NSF study, in which 6 out of 10 people admitted to driving drowsy.
In addition, 20 percent of people who participated in the NSF study claimed they could drive without any problems on only 2 hours of sleep, even though numerous studies have found that drivers who don't get at least 7 hours of sleep the night before cannot drive safely.
Serious and fatal car accidents caused by tired drivers are major problems nationwide. According to the NSF, each year, drowsy drivers cause thousands of accidents that result in an estimated 6,400 car accident fatalities.
What makes tired driving so dangerous?
Tired drivers are extremely dangerous for many different reasons, including:
- Drowsy drivers often do not slow down before crashing into another car, which is why many drowsy driving accidents are high-speed collisions.
- Tired drivers often make poor decisions, such as misjudging the distance between vehicles (a common cause of rear-end accidents) and not stopping at red lights or stop signs.
- Asleep-at-the-wheel drivers are prone to causing head-on collisions, which are often fatal.
- Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel often engage in other high-risk activities, such as drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs.
Drowsy driving prevention
The NSF recommends the following advice for preventing drowsy driving:
- If you are blinking often or having trouble keeping your eyes open while driving, take a break right away at a safe location.
- If you are driving long distances, take a break every 2 hours or every 100 miles.
- If you're having difficulty keeping your vehicle in your lane on the highway, take a break as soon as possible at a rest stop or another safe location.
Injured by a drowsy driver? Call the car accident attorneys Mainers trust.
Car accidents caused by tired drivers might seem straightforward. But the reality is such car accident claims often turn into complicated legal cases. Sometimes, it's because the at-fault driver doesn't remember what happened or tries to blame you for somehow causing the crash. Other times, the at-fault driver's insurance company is the problem.
You need an experienced Maine car accident lawyer to fight for your rights. Whether through an injury claim or a car accident lawsuit, the legal team at Jabar LaLiberty, LLC can help you demand the justice and compensation you deserve.
Get the law firm that gets results for Mainers. Contact us and schedule a free consultation. We have two offices conveniently located in Portland and Waterville, Maine.