The Strength To Seek Justice

Why drowsy driving is so dangerous

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2023 | Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury

Life can be very busy and hectic for people in Texas. There are only so many hours in a day and sometimes sleep is what people sacrifice to make sure they get everything done. People have probably heard how important sleep is for the body and mind but may choose to ignore it. When people do not sleep enough, it can cause them to lack focus and have other issues.

It also generally makes people more tired during the day. If they are focused on a task, they may not notice it, but when they have down time, they can feel it more and become drowsy. One place where this can happen is while people are driving their vehicles, especially at night.

The dangers of drowsy driving

Drowsy driving is very dangerous and is often likened to driving under the influence of alcohol. If people completely fall asleep while driving, they obviously have no idea where they are going or what is happening around them. However, even if people do not fully fall asleep, being drowsy still makes it more difficult to pay attention to the road. It also slows drivers’ reaction times to different sudden events occurring in front of them. Drowsiness also affects drivers’ decision making while driving.

Any one of these effects can easily cause a car accident. Despite the dangers, drowsy driving is still very prevalent on the roads. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 of every 25 drivers admitted to falling asleep while driving. In 2017, drowsy driving was a factor in 91,000 accidents. In these accidents, approximately 50,000 people suffered injuries and approximately 800 people were killed.

These are alarming statistics and it is clear that many innocent drivers suffer injuries in accidents caused by drowsy drivers. This should not occur and the victims should be compensated for their injuries and other damages.

Getting legal advice from a Texas attorney

There are many drowsy drivers on Texas roads every day. Some cause accidents as a result and innocent victims suffer injuries. Some injuries are very serious and people may require significant medical treatment as a result. It also may cause them to lose income if they are unable to work. The victims may be able to obtain compensation from the drowsy driver though. Experienced attorneys understand the importance of this compensation and may be able to guide one through the process.