After a long night or a poor night’s sleep, it’s easy to get behind the wheel while tired. However, the reality is that fatigue can impair a driver’s ability just as severely as alcohol, making drowsy driving a serious threat to road safety. The consequences of getting behind the wheel when tired can be devastating, leading to severe collisions and serious injuries. If a drowsy driver causes a collision, speak to an Atlanta car accident lawyer at Monge & Associates for assistance with your case.
Why Is Drowsy Driving So Dangerous?
Drowsy driving poses significant dangers because it impairs cognitive and motor functions necessary for safe driving. Fatigue leads to slower reaction times, reduced attentiveness, and impaired decision-making. Tired drivers may not be able to respond quickly to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions, increasing the risk of accidents.
Additionally, extreme fatigue can lead to micro-sleeps, brief episodes of sleep that can last from a fraction of a second up to several seconds, during which the driver is essentially unconscious and unable to react to the environment around them. This can be extremely dangerous, leading to severe collisions.
Who Is Liable for an Accident Caused by a Drowsy Driver?
Georgia follows a fault-based system when it comes to car accidents. This means that the driver who causes a collision due to drowsy driving can be held financially responsible for the damages incurred by other parties involved in the crash. Victims have the right to file insurance claims or lawsuits against the at-fault driver.
Proving liability in drowsy driving cases involves demonstrating that the driver was so tired that they should not have been operating a vehicle. Evidence such as witness statements, driving hours, lack of sleep, or erratic driving behavior captured on dashcams can help establish that the driver was impaired due to fatigue.
How to Avoid Driving While Drowsy
Drowsy driving is a preventable risk that should not be taken lightly. Ensuring you are well-rested before driving is crucial for your safety and that of others on the road. Here are some key strategies to help prevent drowsy driving:
- Get a full night’s sleep before long drives. Aim for at least seven to nine hours of quality sleep to ensure alertness.
- Plan to drive long trips with a co-driver. Sharing these responsibilities can allow each driver time to rest.
- Take regular breaks during long drives. Ideally, stop every two hours or every 100 miles to rest and stretch.
- Be cautious with medications. Check whether any medications you are taking have drowsiness as a side effect and never take them before a drive.
- Use rest areas to take short naps if you feel tired. Even a 20-minute nap can significantly improve your alertness.
- Recognize the signs that you may be too tired to drive, such as frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, and missing exits, and respond by taking a break.
Speak to an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Drowsy driving is as dangerous as any impairment on the road. If you’ve been involved in an accident due to another driver’s fatigue, you need a lawyer on your side who can advocate for you every step of the way.
At Monge & Associates, our drowsy driving accident lawyers have represented the injured since 1993 and are committed to holding negligent motorists accountable for their actions. Contact us today at (888) 477-0597 and learn how our attorneys can champion your right to compensation.