According to studies conducted by the CDC, one in 25 adults reports falling asleep behind the wheel over a 30-day period. This is a frightening statistic, but it fails to capture the full scope of the problem. Not all drowsy drivers fall asleep, but all drowsy drivers pose a serious threat to everyone on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 633 people died in drowsy driving crashes in 2020, the latest year for which statistics are available. Fatal injuries are, however, not the most common result of accidents caused by sleep-deprived drivers. Every year, nearly 100,000 police-reported accidents are caused by drowsy drivers, and thousands of them result in severe, often debilitating injuries. When you or someone you love is the victim of a drowsy driver, you have every right to hold them accountable and seek maximum compensation for all related damages.
Drowsy Driving Awareness Week
The first full week of November is Drowsy Driving Awareness Week, a good time to acquaint yourself with the dangers of this shockingly common behavior. Drowsy Driving Awareness Week is also an excellent opportunity to reconsider your driving habits and commit to doing everything possible to keep yourself and others on the road safe from these accidents.
Driving while sleepy has several serious impacts. These include:
- Delayed Reaction Time
- Impaired Decision Making
- Slower Cognitive Function
- Lowered Risk Inhibition
Studies have shown that driving after 20 hours without sleep is the equivalent of driving while legally drunk. According to the National Safety Council, drivers are three times more likely to be in an accident if they are sleepy.
Truck Accidents
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that 13 percent of truck accidents involve a sleepy trucker. Unlike motor vehicle accidents involving passenger vehicles alone, truck accidents caused by a drowsy driver may involve multiple liable parties. They are also more likely to result in serious or fatal injuries. These accidents demand the attention of a qualified attorney who can investigate the cause, identify all liable parties, and help you recover damages beyond the offerings of insurance companies.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, McPhillips Fitzgerald & Cullum, LLP is here to help. Call us at 518-792-1174 to schedule a free case review at our Glen Falls, New York office or 305-751-8556 for a complimentary consultation at our office in Miami Shores, Florida.