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Driver fatigue is a serious danger that causes thousands of accidents each year. Research to quantify the exact numbers is much more difficult than cases of alcohol-impaired accidents because there is no measurable test. With extensive experience litigating Chicago auto accident cases, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers uses proven litigation techniques to obtain direct evidence of a drivers sleep habits at the time of a collision. These techniques allow us to establish that fatigue contributed to an auto accident when the case is presented to a judge or jury.
Fatigue leads to car accidents because it impairs reaction time, reduces vigilance, and causes problems with processing and integrating information. The danger with sleepiness is that once a person sits still, gets bored, or drives long distances, the driver starts to let down their coping defenses and is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
Common Circumstances Involved In Driver Fatigue Motor Vehicle AccidentsThere are circumstances or characteristics to look for to determine if driver fatigue was involved:
- Accident occurs late night/early morning (predominant) or mid-afternoon
- Serious crash
- Single vehicle leaves road
- High-speed road
- Driver makes no attempt to avoid crash
- Driver is alone
- Driver is with family members or close friends
Groups at higher risk for fatigue related crashes are young people (16-29), shift workers who work at night or long and irregular hours, people who use sedating medications, and people with untreated or unrecognized sleep disorders (sleep apnea, narcolepsy).
Explanations Behind The Outbreak Of Sleepy DriversThere are several causes of drowsy driving including acute sleep loss, job-related sleep restriction, personal demands and lifestyle choices, sleep fragmentation, and circadian factors. Seven to nine hours of sleep is needed for optimal performance, with less than four hours of sleep impairing vigilance. You can actually create a sleep debt causing chronic sleepiness by losing one to two hours of sleep a night.
Improving The Safety Of Drivers, Passengers & Other Sharing The RoadEducating people about steps they can take to reduce the risk of driver fatigue can help reduce the incidence of fatigue related accidents. Simple suggestions such as getting enough sleep, not drinking alcohol when sleepy, and limiting driving between midnight and 6 a.m. can make a difference. Then, the important thing for people to do is to recognize driver fatigue.
If a driver starts to feel sleepy, they should stop and take a nap and have caffeine or have a passenger take a turn driving. However, it is important to realize that stimulants such as caffeine can mask how sleepy a person actually is. Finally, it should be noted that getting adequate sleep and preventing drowsiness is better than taking remedial measures. Along with education, rumble strips can also be used, as they are an effective tool to alert drivers of possible impairment. If people can take steps to avoid driving while drowsy, the number of driver fatigued accidents can be reduced.
Serious Car Accident Attorneys in Chicago, ILIf you or a family member was involved in a serious car accident our Chicago automobile accident attorneys would like to speak to regarding your legal rights. Our team is experienced prosecuting these matters and work hard to get to the underlying cause of the crash. Give our team a call today and begin the process of getting the justice you deserve for your injuries today. (847) 835-8895
