You may not know exactly how dangerous fatigued driving in New York can be for drivers and passengers. Research now shows that fatigued driving is every bit as deadly as drunk driving. Yet many adults will get behind the wheel when they are tired even though they will not drive after having a drink.
The statistics are scary
Nearly half of Americans admit to getting behind the wheel when they are tired, and 20% of Americans admit to having fallen asleep behind the wheel in the past year. Nearly double that amount of drivers have confessed that they have nodded off behind the wheel at one point since they have been driving. In 2015, approximately 5,000 people died in crashes where one of the drivers was drowsy.
How drowsiness impacts driving
If you get behind the wheel after not having slept for 20 hours or more, it is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. Your reaction times are slowed, even when you are able to stay awake behind the wheel. You are three times more likely to be involved in a crash when you are drowsy because you cannot focus and react properly. Even a few seconds of slowed reaction time can make the difference between safety and a car accident with severe injuries.
If you have been injured in a crash with someone who drove while drowsy, chances are that they are the one whose negligence caused the crash. As a result, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. A personal injury attorney may be able to file a claim for your injuries and negotiate a settlement. If no agreement can be reached, the attorney might help you file your lawsuit in court.