It is no secret that your sleeping habits impact your waking hours, affecting your productivity, mood, and concentration. Getting an adequate amount of shut-eye not only ensures you wake feeling refreshed, but reduces your risk of an auto accident when you get behind the wheel.
Studies show that driving while tired can be incredibly dangerous. According to the National Sleep Foundation, drowsy driving is responsible for an estimated 6,400 deaths each year. In fact, a few sleepless nights make exhausted drivers just as dangerous as those who drink and drive.
Because drowsy drivers have delayed reaction times, speeding is particularly perilous. The odds of stopping in time to avoid a car accident are slim, often increasing the severity of the crash that results – from physical injury to property damage.
To learn more, read on! And if you have been injured in an auto accident caused by a drowsy driver, contact Hoffman Law Firm today. Our Charleston car accident lawyers are equipped to handle cases like yours, so schedule your free consultation with a member of our team.
Drowsy Driving Statistics
Drowsy driving crashes may result from any of the following:
- Inadequate sleep
- Medication use
- Alcohol or drug consumption
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the risk of drowsy driving increases between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., in the mid-afternoon, or after a driver has been on the road for a long time without taking a break. That said, shift workers who labor overnight or work extended hours face a high risk of driving without the proper amount of sleep.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in three Americans do not get enough sleep. Studies also show that sleeping less than four hours increases your risk of a drowsy driving crash by 11.5 times!
Types of Car Accidents Caused By Drowsy Driving
There are several types of car accidents that are commonly caused by drowsy driving:
- Hitting a pedestrian
- Colliding with a tree, animal, or other object
- Running off the road into a ditch
- Drifting out of your lane and into another vehicle
- Head-on collisions with another vehicle
- Rear-end collisions
Injured by a Drowsy, Drunk, or Distracted Driver? Call Your Charleston Car Accident Lawyers Today!
The statistics above prove that healthy sleep plays a major role in preventing wrecks. But if you have been involved in an auto accident caused by a drowsy driver, Hoffman Law Firm can help!
Attorney David Hoffman and our team of experienced car accident attorneys is standing by, ready to learn more about your case. We have handled a wide variety of cases involving drowsy, drunk and distracted driving – and recovered the compensation our clients deserved!
From gathering evidence to negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, we will take care of everything. Whether you suspect the responsible party was driving drowsy, texting while driving, or taking their eyes off the road due to another distraction, it is important to hold them accountable. While you focus on healing from your accident injuries, our team will be hard at work fighting for you.
Contact Hoffman Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation with a Charleston car accident lawyer!
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