Philadelphia Fatal Accident From Drowsy Driving Lawyer

Drowsy driving or fatigued driving is common. It often results from someone being overworked or working on an alternate schedule. It is easy to nod off while driving. Hundreds of Americans fall asleep behind the wheel daily. Accidents caused by drowsy driving can result in severe injuries and death. 

Drowsy Driving Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA), drowsy driving is a significant safety issue on our nation’s roads. Data from the NHTSA indicates drowsy driving is suspected in one in six fatal car accidents and one out of every eight collisions resulting in hospital admission. In 2017 there were more than 91,000 crashes, 50,000 injuries and 800 deaths caused by drowsy driving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that an average of one out of 25 drivers drift off at some point while driving, and those who slept 6 hours or less and/or snored were more likely to fall asleep while behind the wheel. Other reports have suggested that drowsy drivers can be just as dangerous as those driving while impaired. 

Why People Drive While Fatigued 

Being tired is not unusual. However, some groups are at a higher risk of being involved in a drowsy driving accident. They include:

• Those who travel for business, changing time zones often.
• Long-haul truck drivers often drive more hours than federally mandated for safety reasons.
• Individuals who work a late night to the early morning shift.
• Workers whose shift may be up to 60 hours a week.
• Individuals who may have an undiagnosed sleep disorder. 
• Drivers suffering from sleep deprivation.
• Individuals taking medications that make them drowsy.

Although there is a push to educate drivers about the danger of driving while tired, it is a complex problem to regulate for average, everyday drivers. Currently, truck drivers must control the number of hours they drive daily and weekly and are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) indicates that approximately half of the adult drivers in the nation admit they consistently drive or have driven while drowsy. And 20 percent admit they fell asleep at the wheel within the past year, and 40 percent admitted they had succumbed to sleep while behind the wheel of their vehicle at least once.

Drowsy Driving Accidents Are Preventable

Falling asleep or drowsy driving leads to hundreds of vehicle crashes yearly in Pennsylvania. While many fatigued drivers realize they are tired, most keep on going, not realizing how dangerous it is to keep driving in that state until it is too late. 

Driving while fatigued is preventable. Additionally, tired drivers have a choice to pull over for a nap or stop for an overnight stay in a hotel. Not stopping to rest means the driver is negligent and putting others’ lives and their own at risk.

Being too tired to drive and drifting off while driving or being unable to react in time to prevent an accident means that you may be held responsible for compensation for accident survivors or compensation in the event of a death. 

Contact MyPhillyLawyer Car Accident Attorney for Help

If a loved one has been involved in a fatal accident with a fatigued driver, speak to us at MyPhillyLawyer to find out your legal rights. Our skilled team of Philadelphia fatal drowsy driving attorneys aggressively pursues favorable settlement offers when possible but will not hesitate to take a case to trial if necessary. 

To learn more about how we can help you recover compensation for the injuries you have sustained or for the loss of a loved one, call (215) 227-2727 or toll-free (800) 461-3741. We do not bill you for our services unless we can help you recover from your injuries.