Today’s Washington residents have busy lives, which sometimes leads to fatigue behind the wheel or drowsy driving. A Sleep Foundation study found that around 50% of respondents admitted to driving while drowsy, and 25% of drivers reported falling asleep while driving at least once during the past month. The study compared drowsy driving with drunk driving, finding that it is equally dangerous to drive while drowsy as it is to drive drunk, despite the noted differences and similarities. If you were injured in an accident, a car accident lawyer in Edmonds is here for you.
What are the Signs of Drowsy Driving?
It’s essential for every Washington driver to recognize the symptoms of drowsiness while they are driving and to be aware of the signs of drowsy driving in other drivers on the road. Experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms of sleepiness behind the wheel is a red flag that it’s time to get off the road immediately:
- Excessive yawning
- Eye rubbing
- Blurred vision
- Deep, even breathing
- Daydreaming that becomes nonsensical, or like twilight sleep
- Nodding off and jerking awake
- Inability to recall the last few miles driven
- Straying from a lane and having to swerve back into it
Recognizing that other drivers sharing the road with your vehicle may be drowsy is just as important as recognizing your own symptoms of sleepiness behind the wheel. A car with a drowsy driver may drift out of its lane and then jerk back into it. The driver may drive excessively slowly and then speed up or may closely follow another vehicle. Drowsy drivers may roll through stop signs and red lights or enter oncoming lanes of traffic.
What Types of Accidents Are Caused by Drowsy Drivers In Washington?
Drowsy drivers are a danger to themselves and others, causing an estimated 6,000 annual car accident deaths, or 21% of fatal crashes. Drowsy driving causes accidents such as the following:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents in intersections
- Roadway departures
- Collisions with objects
- Rollover accidents
Drowsy driving also causes deadly pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, and car vs. bicycle accidents.
Drowsy driving is particularly prevalent among long-haul truck drivers, leading to catastrophic commercial truck accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established driving hour limits for truck drivers and requires them to carefully log their hours to minimize the risk of drowsy driving while behind the wheel of a vehicle weighing as much as 80,000 pounds.
Liability In Washington Drowsy Driving Accidents
When a drowsy driver causes an accident, they are liable for the damages caused to the involved motorists, including past and future medical expenses, past and future income loss, reduced earning ability (for disability), and compensation for pain and suffering. Unfortunately, there is no blood test to prove drowsy driving, as there is for drunk driving, making it challenging to prove.
An insurance company often disputes drowsy driving claims in Washington and attempts to shift liability to the injury victim. This allows the insurance company to reduce the amount of compensation it pays out on a claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Arlington proactively investigates the accident, documents compelling evidence of liability, and argues for their client’s full and fair compensation.
How Can Wells Trumbull Help My Case?
When a drowsy driver fails to take the reasonable action of pulling off the road, and their drowsiness causes an accident, an injury victim deserves compensation for their damages. Contact Wells Trumbull for the experienced representation you need throughout this challenging case.