A Nation of Sleepy Drivers: How Sleep Deprivation Leads to Collisions in Texas  

People's lives are so busy with work and family obligations that getting enough sleep often falls to the bottom of the priority list. Most people know that adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep a night, but fewer are aware of just how dangerous sleep deprivation can be–especially behind the wheel. Not getting enough sleep at night can have profound effects on drivers’ ability to drive safely and responsibly. In fact, one study found that drivers who slept less than four hours at night were an incredible 15.1 times more likely to be in a car crash.

Drowsy Driving Can Lead to Severe and Fatal Car Accidents

Studies show that sleep deprivation causes significant impairment. Being significantly sleep-deprived has a similar effect to being under the influence of alcohol. Fatigued drivers are more likely to make mistakes behind the wheel and are slower to respond to road hazards such as dropped truck cargo or a stalled vehicle. Sleepiness also affects drivers’ visuospatial attention which means they are less capable of processing stimuli in their immediate surroundings. This can be disastrous while driving.

Some Drivers Fall Asleep at the Wheel

Another frightening consequence of drowsy driving is the potential for a driver to fall asleep at the wheel. The CDC reports that 1 in 25 drivers admit to falling asleep while driving in the last 30 days. Many drivers are also at risk of “microsleep.” Microsleep episodes occur when the driver falls asleep for just a few seconds without knowing that they fell asleep. Unfortunately, it only takes a split second for an injurious or deadly collision to occur.

What to Do If You Were Hit by a Fatigued Driver

If you or a loved one were a victim of a fatigued driving accident, contact a car accident injury attorney for help. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence and build a case against the sleepy driver. You may be able to recover financial compensation for your vehicle damage, medical bills, lost income, and more. If your loved one died in a car accident caused by a sleep-deprived driver, you may be entitled to damages through a wrongful death claim.

Contact a Houston Car Crash Injury Lawyer

Sleepy drivers can cause horrific wrecks. If you or a family member were a victim of a fatigued driving car accident, contact Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec for help. Our knowledgeable Harris County personal injury attorneys will help you explore your legal options and seek compensation for your damages. Call our office at 281-643-2000 today for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180918082041.htm#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20indicates%20that,slept%20fewer%20than%20four%20hours.

https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/drowsy-driving.html