Drowsy Driving As A Cause of Tennessee Car Accidents
Recently, an automobile crash occurred on Interstate 75 when a motor vehicle drifted to the left side of the road where the vehicle struck a guardrail and killed a passenger. While the exact cause of this accident has not yet been determined, drowsy driving has not been ruled out; indeed, drowsy driving causes catastrophic injuries and sometimes even fatalities. Many motorists fail to realize that drowsy driving can result in the same terrible mistakes as drunk or distracted driving. Every month, 25 adult motor vehicle drivers fall asleep at the wheel. In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that drowsy driving caused 72,000 motor vehicle accidents. This number of accidents is likely substantially higher because it can difficult to demonstrate that an accident occurred due to drowsy driving. This article will explain the role that drowsy driving can play in causing motor vehicle accidents in Tennessee.
The Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, there are numerous warning signs that the accident was likely caused by drowsy driving. These signs include the following:
- Commercial Motor Vehicle. Commercial motor vehicle drivers are particularly susceptible to accidents caused due to fatigue. There are various other groups who are also susceptible to the dangers of drowsy driving including teenagers and younger drivers, night shift workers, workers who work overtime, drivers who are afflicted with sleep disorders, and drivers who take sleep medication.
- Lane Drifting. A motor vehicle driver drifted from the lane prior to the crash.
- A driver had difficulty remember what happened before the motor vehicle collision.
- Missed Exit or Turn. The motor vehicle accident occurred after the driver missed an exit or turn.
- Rumble Strips. The motor vehicle driver passed over a rumble strip between lanes or rumble strips located at the side of the road.
- Physical Signs. The driver yawned or even blinked too frequently during interactions that occurred after the motor vehicle accident.
Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving Accidents
There are several driving habits that motorists should implement to ensure that the odds of an accident occurring due to drowsy driving are reduced as much as possible. These habits include the following:
- Motor vehicle drivers should avoid consumption of alcohol prior to driving. Alcohol interacts with sleepiness to increase drowsiness and impairment.
- Avoid Medication. Motorists should avoid medications that make the motorists drowsy.
- Develop Good Sleep Habits. Motorists should develop good sleep habits to ensure that enough sleep is received. While adults need at least seven hours of sleep a night, teenagers need at least ten hours of sleep nightly.
- Motorists who experience symptoms of drowsy driving should pull over to the side of the road and rest for fifteen to twenty minutes or change motor vehicle drivers. Motorists should remember that turning up the radio or rolling down the windows are not enough to keep motorists alert and sufficiently awake.
- See Your Physician. Motorists who suffer from sleep disorders or symptoms like snoring or fatigue during the day should see physicians.
Accidents due to drowsy driving can prove especially catastrophic. At Calhoun Law, PLC in Tennessee, our car accident lawyers are skilled at helping to make sure that individuals who are injured due to drowsy drivers receive the compensation that is deserved.
