Drowsy Driving Accidents
If you’ve spent any time behind the wheel, you may have experienced a moment of sleepiness that left you rubbing your eyes and realizing that it was time to pull over for a good stretch, and a cup of coffee, or to find a safe place for a power nap. But what happens when you share the road with another drowsy driver who tries to drive through their fatigue rather than pulling over and the result is a serious accident that ends with you suffering painful injuries?
Drowsy driving accidents are more common than you might think. While nothing erases car accident injuries and trauma, a car accident claim against the negligent driver can bring the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Understanding the Impacts of Drowsy Driving
Though there are no Utah laws making drowsy driving a criminal offense, fatigued driving has effects that are similar to those of impaired driving according to scientific research studies. Continuing to drive while exhibiting symptoms of extreme fatigue is negligence, leaving the drowsy driver liable for damages caused to others. The following symptoms are a warning that a driver should take immediate action to protect themselves and others on the road:
- Blurred vision and heavy eyelids
- Excessive yawning and eye-rubbing
- Memory gaps, such as being unable to remember making a turn or stopping at a signal light
- Delayed reactions
- Wandering thoughts that resemble twilight sleep
- Nodding off and jerking awake again
- Drifting out of a lane and hitting the shoulder strips or center lane strips (rumble strips)
If you notice any of the above signs of extreme drowsiness, it’s crucial to remove your vehicle from the road to avoid an accident that could cause serious harm to yourself and others.
Recognizing a Drowsy Driver on the Road
It’s important to be alert and aware of the positions of other vehicles on the road and the actions of other drivers, so you can remove yourself from another driver’s dangerous behaviors whenever possible. The signs of a drowsy driver in Utah or elsewhere include the following:
- Repeated slowing and speeding up again
- Drifting out of a lane and then jerking back into it
- Closely tailgating another vehicle
- Driving far below the speed limit
- Driving through a stop sign or red light
- Making jerky corrections
- Coming to abrupt stops at stop signs or signal lights
In some cases, you may be able to see the other driver closing their eyes or nodding off behind the wheel. If you suspect a driver is excessively drowsy or otherwise impaired, it’s crucial to put space between your vehicle and theirs. Then, report them to the police, including the make, model, and color of the vehicle, the direction they are traveling, and the license number when possible.
What Types of Accidents are Caused by Drowsy Drivers In Utah?
When a driver’s reaction time slows and extreme fatigue compromises their vision and cognition, their chances of an accident dramatically increase. Some drowsy drivers fall asleep behind the wheel. Drowsy drivers in Utah cause accidents such as the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone accidents in intersections
- Sideswipes
- Roadway departures
- Collisions with obstacles
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Multi-vehicle crashes
Commercial truck drivers have a high risk of fatigue. Drowsy driving is a common cause of serious or catastrophic commercial truck accidents involving those in smaller vehicles.
An injury victim hurt by a drowsy driver has the right to compensation under Utah’s fault-based accident law.
How Can a Utah Drowsy Driving Accident Attorney Help Me?
Proving another driver caused an accident due to drowsy driving can be legally challenging. The insurance company is not on your side and may attempt to assign you a portion of fault to reduce the payout on your claim. Don’t leave your case in their hands. Instead, call or contact Handy & Handy online for experienced legal representation.