Drowsy driving and fatigued driving are a significant cause of car accidents across the nation. People may feel like they’re well enough to drive, but if they’re overworked or did not get enough sleep then their chances of an automobile collision or crash increase dramatically. To help you avoid these types of accidents, the Las Vegas car crash lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys explain how serious these accidents can be and what you can do to avoid them.
Drowsy Driving and Fatigued Driving Statistics
While many drivers understand how dangerous falling asleep while driving is, many underestimate the perils of drowsy driving. To illustrate the perils of fatigued driving, here are some stats:
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 684 people died in car crashes in 2021 due to drowsy driving, an 8.2% increase from the previous year.
- The NHTSA estimates that fatigue-related crashes resulting in injury or death cost society $109 billion annually, not including property damage.
- The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA-FTS) estimates that 328,000 drowsy driving crashes occur annually, more than three times the police-reported number.
From those statistics, you can understand why drowsy driving and fatigued driving lead to so many serious injuries and, in extreme cases, catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
Why Fatigued Driving Leads to Car Crashes
There are many reasons why drowsy driving leads to car collisions. After representing hundreds of clients that have been injured by fatigued drivers, the Las Vegas car wreck lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys have noticed that drowsy drivers have:
- Impaired Reaction Times: a lack of sleep can limit a driver’s ability to react quickly. This is especially dangerous if they’re driving in heavy traffic or areas with many bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Decreased Vigilance: one of the most important aspects of safe driving is constantly monitoring road conditions. Drowsiness impairs attention and vigilance, limiting this ability.
- Impaired Judgment: sleep deprivation can affect the decision-making processes. This can be crucial when having to make a life-or-death decision while driving. Additionally, a driver may think they’re good to drive for a few more minutes when in reality the best course of action is to pull over for a quick rest.
- Mood and Behavior Changes: drowsiness can affect a person’s mood, which can affect their driving ability. For some, this means driving more aggressively than they normally do. For others, this means driving more lethargically. Both cases can be dangerous for the driver and those around them.
How to Prevent Drowsy Driving Car Accidents
The good news is that the answer to preventing fatigued driving car crashes is simple: get sufficient sleep. The bad news is that many people fail to do so. ER Injury Attorneys understands how busy your life is, but urges you to get sufficient sleep. It’s important for your mental and physical health and, if you’re driving, it’s important to the safety of others.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults 18 to 60 should get 7 hours of sleep or more per day. The agency noted:
- An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers aged 18 years or older reported having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days.
- Adult drivers who snore or typically sleep six or fewer hours per day were more likely to report falling asleep while driving than drivers who do not snore or usually sleep seven or more hours per day, respectively.
- Drowsy driving was involved in 91,000 car wrecks in 2017, which resulted in 50,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths.
- In 2020, there were 633 fatigued driving deaths based on police reports. However, these numbers are underestimated, and over 6,000 car crash fatalities each year may involve a drowsy driver.
Getting sufficient sleep is a crucial element in avoiding fatigued driving car collisions. If you do not get enough sleep and feel your driving performance declining while on the road then don’t be afraid to pull over for a quick nap. Yes, you may not get to your destination in time, but that’s much better than hurting yourself and injuring others.
Contact a Top Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
If you’ve suffered injuries caused by a drowsy driver then you may be entitled to compensation. The knowledgeable and experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys can help you get the highest compensation allowable by law in the shortest amount of time possible. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation and our team will explore your legal options.
You can reach our team of consummate Nevada injury lawyers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team is available by phone at 702-878-7878 and online through LiveChat or encrypted contact form. ER Injury Attorneys represents accident victims throughout Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, and beyond. To get the compensation you deserve for your injuries, contact us today.