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Impact of Driving While Drowsy and the Legal Consequences of Driving Tiredness

Yearly, drowsy driving crashes number around 328,000, resulting in approximately 50,000 injuries as per the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

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The Consequences of Driving While Sleepy and the Boundaries of Exhaustion as a Legal Matter
The Consequences of Driving While Sleepy and the Boundaries of Exhaustion as a Legal Matter

Drowsy driving is a prevalent issue on American roads, with an estimated 328,000 crashes occurring each year, resulting in over 50,000 injuries and 6,000 fatalities [1]. In cities like Atlanta, fatigued drivers pose a growing risk.

The Impact of Drowsy Driving

The physical and financial toll of drowsy-driving crashes can be severe. Victims often suffer injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal damage, facing medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Insurance adjusters often downplay injuries or try to shift blame in such crashes, making legal support crucial.

Risk Factors and Causes

Drowsy driving arises mainly from sleep deprivation, long driving periods without rest, and certain physiological factors. Lack of sufficient sleep (fewer than 7 hours per night) or severe sleep deprivation (4 hours or less) impairs driving abilities similarly to alcohol intoxication [1][2][3]. Driving for extended periods without breaks, often 3 hours or more, increases fatigue [3]. Driving at certain times of day, such as late night or early morning when natural alertness dips, also contributes to drowsy driving [3].

Sleep disorders, shift work, medication side effects, or other health issues causing daytime sleepiness are additional risk factors [2]. Being awake for 18-24 hours impairs driving comparable to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between 0.05% to 0.10%, exceeding legal alcohol limits in many states [1][2].

The Role of an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

In drowsy driving crash cases, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance. They can investigate the crash circumstances to gather evidence indicating driver fatigue, establish liability by demonstrating the other driver's impairment due to drowsiness, navigate insurance claims and legal proceedings, advise on legal rights and options specialized for Georgia traffic laws and personal injury cases, and work with experts to strengthen the case.

By leveraging legal knowledge and investigative resources, an Atlanta car accident lawyer aids in holding negligent parties accountable and maximizing recovery for victims of drowsy driving accidents.

Preventing Drowsy Driving

To avoid drowsy driving, it's recommended to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, avoid alcohol and sedating medications before driving, and drive during alert hours. Recognising the signs of drowsy driving, such as heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, and drifting from your lane, can help prevent accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving drowsy driving, an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you pursue full compensation and hold the responsible party accountable. Remember, drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely. Drivers who cause crashes due to fatigue (especially when they knew they were too tired to drive) may be held negligent in a personal injury claim.

[1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2019). Drowsy Driving and Automated Driving Systems. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Drowsy Driving. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/drowsy_driving.html

[3] American Automobile Association. (2021). Drowsy Driving. Retrieved from https://www.aaa.com/driving/resources/safety/drowsy-driving

  1. The physical and financial impact of drowsy-driving crashes can be severe, often resulting in traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and large medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.
  2. Lack of sufficient sleep, long driving periods, certain physiological factors, sleep disorders, shift work, medication side effects, working conditions, and being awake for 18-24 hours without rest impair driving abilities.
  3. In Georgia, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can assist victims of drowsy driving crash cases by investigating the crash circumstances, establishing liability, navigating insurance claims and legal proceedings, and maximizing recovery.
  4. To prevent drowsy driving, it's recommended to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, avoid alcohol and sedating medications before driving, and drive during alert hours.
  5. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving drowsy driving, an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help pursue full compensation and hold the responsible party accountable.
  6. A duty is owed by drivers to operate their vehicles safely, and those who cause crashes due to fatigue may be held negligent in a personal injury claim.
  7. Sleep, lifestyle, mental health, science, accidents, general news, sports, racing, auto-racing, health-and-wellness, cars, car-maintenance, and car-accidents are all connected to the dangers and consequences of drowsy driving.

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