man driving vehicle with GPS system turned on

Drowsy driving puts many individuals at risk of car accidents. Statistics show that driving while drowsy is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. According to AAA, one out of six fatal car accidents are linked to drowsy driving.

There are many indicators that a car accident is related to drowsy driving. These include signs that the driver did not make any effort to prevent the car crash. A drowsy driving car accident will typically result in an accident scene void of skid marks or signs of braking, and often results in a car crashing off the roadway.

Research shows that certain demographic groups are more susceptible to drowsy driving. These include:

Driving while drowsy adversely affects many common driving behaviors. Being tired while behind the wheel decreases a driver’s reflexes and impairs a person’s ability to process and react to a situation. Moreover, a driver will act less carefully if driving while fatigued.

Studies also show the similarities in driver impairment between drowsy driving and drunk driving. Data reveals that driving while drowsy is akin to drunk driving with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit. This means that getting behind the wheel when drowsy is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Unfortunately, there is not an accurate testing tool for law enforcement to use in order to identify drowsiness, unlike the Breathalyzer test used to identify drunk drivers.

Drowsiness in a driver is dangerous regardless of whether the individual actually falls asleep. Drowsy driving occurs any time a driver is overly tired. An individual is at risk of a drowsy driving car accident due to not only sleeping while behind the wheel, but also experiencing repeated episodes of “microsleeps” or concurrent incidents of almost falling asleep while driving. A sleep-related car accident can occur regardless of whether the person fell asleep, had mini “microsleep” episodes, or whether the driver was too fatigued to properly react in order to avoid a crash.

Preventing Drowsy Driving Car Accidents

American drivers need to be continuously educated on the real dangers of drowsy driving. Sadly, research portrays drowsy driving as a “silent killer” leading to many unnecessary fatal car accidents. Drowsy driving car accidents can be prevented. Individuals must ensure that they are well rested before getting behind the wheel. If it becomes apparent that a driver is overly tired, the driver must leave the roadway at once and get some rest before resuming driving.

Some common signs that an individual is too tired to drive include:

Despite the known hazards of drowsy driving, many American drivers continue to take the risk and drive while tired.  According to a survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 41% of drivers report falling asleep while driving. Moreover, 25% of drivers surveyed indicate that they drove while fatigued within the last 30 days.

To prevent and avoid a car accident, drivers must ensure that their total focus is on the roadway at all times. Driving while drowsy prevents a driver from remaining completely focused and reactive. Sadly, drowsiness while behind the wheel can have long-lasting and even deadly consequences.

Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates Fight for those Injured by Drowsy Driving Accidents

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a drowsy driving car accident, Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates can assist you in identifying the responsible party and see just compensation for your injuries. Our offices are conveniently located Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Voorhees, New Jersey and we represent victims of car accidents throughout both states.  Call us today at 215-567-6600 or 856-663-2566 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Philadelphia car accident lawyers.

Practice Areas

Some of the types of claims we handle on behalf of injured victims include:

blue and red cars in parking lots

CAR ACCIDENTS

blue and white bus on road during daytime

BUS ACCIDENTS

man on black cruiser motorcycle in highway

MOTOCYCLE ACCIDENTS

white truck on gray road during daytime

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

cyclist, junction, city

BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

people walking near traffic light during daytime

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

Yellow Slippery Road Signage

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

WRONGFUL DEATH ACCIDENTS

Personal injury accidents can have long-term physical consequences and can involve high medical costs. Seeking justice for our clients is our top priority. We believe a satisfied client will recommend our firm to others.

Testimonials