Whether you suffer a broken bone, mental trauma or face financial hardships because you cannot work or have medical costs to deal with, traffic accident injuries could lead to a wide variety of hardships. It is essential for you to understand the various reasons why motor vehicle accidents occur and take steps to try to avoid an accident.
Unfortunately, some accidents occur because of drowsy drivers, and it is often very hard to avoid an accident if they lose focus or even fall asleep behind the wheel.
Statistics on drowsy driving
It is very important for drivers to understand the prevalence of drowsy driving, not only to keep an eye out for other drivers battling fatigue but to avoid driving while fatigued themselves. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention references a survey that found that out of almost 150,000 participants, 4% had fallen asleep behind the wheel in the last 30 days.
The CDC also states that an estimated 91,000 traffic accidents involved drowsy drivers in 2017. Out of these accidents, almost 800 people lost their lives and 50,000 suffered injuries.
Risk factors associated with drowsy driving
People are more likely to suffer from fatigue while driving if they do not get the right amount of sleep, and certain medications can also lead to driver fatigue. Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can lead to drowsy driving, as well as working long shifts. Many commercial motor vehicle drivers also struggle with drowsiness.
If you suffered an injury in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, make sure you go over all of your options and hold them accountable.
