Accidents with Drowsy Drivers in Ohio

Ohio Drowsy Driving Accidents

Our responsibilities don’t pause because we’re tired, nor do other motorists’ obligations to other drivers. Accidents caused by overtired and drowsy driving are common, and the injuries and damages they cause can be severe. After an accident with a drowsy driver, contact the Ohio car accident lawyers at KNR.

We will review the details, your options and help secure the maximum amount possible. Call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation.

Drowsy Driving Accident Statistics

6,000 fatal crashes are caused by drowsy drivers every year, the CDC reported. They also stated that about 1 in 25 adult drivers over 18 reported falling asleep while driving in the previous 30 days.

That may seem like a small number, but there are millions of adults in the U.S., and even if 4% of them fall asleep sometimes while driving, that’s thousands of individuals more likely to cause a potentially fatal collision.

Signs of Drowsy Driving

There comes a time when people need to recognize they’re too tired to drive. If someone is currently driving and notices these signs, they should pull off the road as soon as possible.

Some signals that someone is too exhausted to drive safely are:

• Yawning often
• Blinking frequently
• Drifting from your lane
• Hitting the shoulder of the road
• Difficulty remembering the last few miles or streets driven
• Missing an exit

People Frequently Involved in Drowsy Driving Accidents

Any driver can fall asleep behind the wheel or cause an accident due to being overtired, but certain groups are at higher risk. This includes people who frequently drive at night or work long hours, such as:

• Shift workers
• Business travelers
• Commercial drivers & truckers;
• Teen drivers
• Airline workers

What Can Be Done About Drowsy Driving?

Drowsy drivers often think changing the temperature in the car, drinking a beverage with caffeine, or turning up the radio will be enough to keep them awake.

However, these actions won’t make you any less drowsy or reduce your risk of falling asleep. Drivers can avoid drowsy driving and causing an accident by:

• Avoiding alcohol or medication that can cause drowsiness
• Getting enough sleep before a long drive
• Stopping for rest breaks

Fatigue, paying less attention, and slower reaction times are a recipe for disaster, particularly on busy streets or roads with high-speed limits. With the physical and mental consequences of drowsy driving combined, it’s no wonder that sleepy driving is a common cause of car accidents.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Drowsy Driving Accidents

Unfortunately, drivers who get behind the wheel while sleepy can easily cause a crash. The injuries typically associated with drowsy driving accidents may include:

• Traumatic Brain injuries
• Car Accident Fatalities
• Whiplash
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Auto Ejection Injuries
• Hip Injuries
• Knee & Joint Injuries
• Windshield Injuries
• Back injuries
• Car Accident PTSD
• Internal Damage
• Facial Injuries

Sleepy drivers cause thousands of accidents and injuries each year. And people hurt in car accidents can suffer minor to severe injuries requiring emergency medical attention, ongoing medical care, being off work, and more. Treating and recovering from car accident injuries can be expensive.

Proving Negligence & Liability for Fatigued Driving

If you hope to recover maximum compensation following a drowsy driving accident in Ohio, your attorney will need to show that the elements of negligence have been met as follows:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

The drowsy driver or other liable parties must have owed you a duty of care and breached that duty by engaging in unsafe driving practices. The drowsy driver’s breach of duty must have caused you to suffer damages or injuries that substantially impacted your life.

Liability in car accident claims must be proven based on a preponderance of the evidence. Some of the most compelling evidence used to prove fatigued driving resulted in your accident include:

• The driver’s GPS tracker or black box data
• The driver’s cell phone records
• Witnesses who can testify to the driver’s fatigued state
• Video footage of the accident
• Forensic evidence showing a lack of brake marks
• Other data showing poor vehicle performance
• The driver’s social media profiles and posts
• Photos of the accident victim’s injuries
• The driver’s medical records, including medications that may cause fatigue
• Expert testimony

Drowsy drivers may not be the only parties who can be held accountable following a collision. For example, if a tired truck driver caused an accident, the trucking company that employs that trucker could be named in your drowsy driving accident lawsuit.

Your lawyer’s thorough investigation and analysis of your case will reveal the truth and ensure all liable parties are held accountable.

Drowsy Driving Accidents: Possible Damages & Compensation

When you are injured in a car crash because the other driver was negligent by driving while overtired, they may be found liable for your various damages. Your lawyer can represent you in pursuit of compensation for all your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, KNR will fight hard for you to recover your:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium

While most car accidents settle out of court, the insurance company will still work hard to reduce what they owe by denying their policyholder was drowsy or that they share responsibility. While an insurance settlement might be ideal, you may also need to file a lawsuit and present evidence that the other driver was at fault.