Drowsy Driving Accidents in Santa Rosa

If you’re tired or short on sleep, it might be a good idea to think twice before getting behind the wheel. Research suggests that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.

In fact:

• Nearly 10 percent of all car accidents involve a drowsy driver
• Roughly 33 percent of all collisions involving fatigued drivers cause a serious injury
• A drowsy driver is involved in 17 percent of all fatal auto accidents

Drowsy driving is a choice - and a dangerous one at that. When a driver makes the decision to drive while they’re fatigued, they put themselves and others in harm’s way. In California, a drowsy driver can be held legally accountable when their negligence causes another person’s injury or wrongful death.

Why is Drowsy Driving Dangerous?

When you’re drowsy, it can be difficult to stay awake, pay attention, and make split-second decisions.

Drivers who are overly fatigued are more likely to:

• Experience blurred vision and have difficulty seeing
• Have trouble concentrating
• Suffer from memory problems
• Have slowed motor functions
• Experience reduced reaction times
• Get distracted

As a result, drivers can lose control of their vehicles, have difficulty maintaining a single lane of traffic, run red lights, and make other dangerous maneuvers that increase the likelihood that there’s a crash.

How Common is Drowsy Driving?

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drowsy driving car accidents are eight times more prevalent than estimated by the federal government.

This isn’t surprising, considering that one-third of the nation doesn’t get enough sleep at night and that one-quarter of Americans surveyed by the CDC admitted to drowsy driving. Studies show that drivers need about 8 hours of rest to be alert and attentive at the wheel. Car accidents are about 30 percent more likely when a driver is on just 6 to 7 hours of sleep. When a motorist has only slept for 4 or 5 hours, the risk of a collision is substantial.

Can I Get Compensation After an Accident With a Drowsy Driver?

In California, drowsy driving can be considered negligent. If a driver’s drowsiness contributes to a collision, the driver can be legally responsible for another person’s injury or wrongful death.

As a victim, you’ll have the right to file a claim with the drowsy driver’s insurance company. Benefits - including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering - can be paid up to the driver’s policy limits. If the extent of your drowsy driving accident injuries and damages exceeds what the insurance company will pay, you’ll have the opportunity to seek additional compensation through a car accident lawsuit.

Singleton Schreiber can help you hold the drowsy driver fully accountable for the harm and suffering they’ve caused. Our Santa Rosa car accident lawyers are nationally acclaimed litigators who’ve helped clients win over $2.5 billion in monetary awards.

Call our legal team to discuss your drowsy driving car accident case today with a Santa Rosa personal injury lawyer. Members of our team are always available to help you set a time for a free consultation.