Motorists and commercial drivers have one responsibility while driving: follow safe driving practices. Unfortunately, there are many drivers who are still making the poor decision to venture out on the road while tired. These drivers take risks in order to reach their destinations as quickly and conveniently as possible for them, while putting others in danger.

They fail to see the damaging effects that a lack of sleep has on their ability to operate a motor vehicle and have caused serious accidents and fatalities in the process. Victims of fatigued drivers should not be left to bear the consequences of the drivers poor decision-making. When they cause accidents, drowsy drivers should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

What is Driver Fatigue?

Driver fatigue or drowsy driving occurs when a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle is impacted by lack of sleep. This type of impairment is closely related to distracted driving or driving under the influence.

Falling asleep while at the wheel can be extremely dangerous for the driver's passengers, as well as, others on the road. However, simply being too tired to drive also impacts a person's ability to follow safe driving practices while on the road.

The symptoms of driver fatigue include:

If you have been involved in a serious accident with a fatigued driver that has resulted in serious or fatal injuries, you may be eligible for financial compensation. It is important that you speak with a Los Angeles Lawyer, that understands driver fatigue, immediately so that you can understand your legal rights and responsibilities.

Fatigued Driver Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver fatigue has been identified as the cause of more than 100,000 car accidents, 40,000 serious injuries, and over 1,000 deaths each year. In a study of dashboard video from 700 accidents, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 9.5% of all accidents involved fatigued drivers. In more severe crashes, this figure rose to 10.8%.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimates that 35 percent of U.S. drivers sleep fewer than the recommended minimum of 7 hours each night. Additionally, a survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that 60% of adult drivers (roughly 168 million people) report driving a vehicle while drowsy in the past year. More than a third of Americans (around 103 million people) say that they have actually fallen asleep while driving.

While there are many reasons why drivers may not get enough sleep, drowsy driving is completely unacceptable because it places passengers and other drivers at serious risk. According to the AAA, missing just 2 or 3 hours of sleep raises the risk of a crash more than fourfold, making drowsy driving essentially the equivalent of drunk driving.

Protecting the Rights of Truck Accident Victims

In addition to accidents caused by people driving their personal vehicles while drowsy, accidents caused by professional drivers of trucks and other commercial vehicles are also on the rise. The cabs of modern 18-wheelers and big rigs are designed to be comfortable and convenient which sometimes causes drivers to become complacent, forgetting that trucks and other large vehicles create serious hazards on the road for other drivers.

If you or a loved one is a victim of a truck accident that has resulted in injury or death, it is important to undertake a prompt investigation into the causes of the accident. By speaking with an experienced Los Angeles accident attorney, you may be able to pursue a case for compensation for your injuries that have resulted from fatigued driving on the part of the truck driver.

Contact us to Speak With a Los Angeles Driver Fatigue Attorney Today

Getting compensation for your injuries is ultimately about finding out the cause of your truck or car accident. There have been many cases of driver negligence from fatigue that have been proven in a court of law, resulting in significant compensation for the victims. However, it is essential that you act now to ensure that you will still be able to exercise your legal rights.

We are available to take on your case at no cost. You will not pay any attorney's fees unless we are able to recover compensation for you. We will work hard to ensure that you get the rightful compensation that you are owed for your medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering, down to the very last penny.

Call us now at (626) 733-4100 to schedule your free consultation.