It can be difficult to know what to do after a car accident, especially if you are unsure of why the accident happened in the first place. Knowing what caused your accident is the first step in determining if you have grounds to move forward with a civil claim. If you suffered because of the negligent or reckless actions of another person, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses and emotional pain and suffering.
One of the most common, yet often overlooked, reasons for a car accident is fatigue. Tired drivers are dangerous drivers, and like a distracted driver, can cause significant harm to innocent motorists on New York roads and highways.
What’s so dangerous about being a little tired?
Everyone gets sleepy from time to time, and every driver has probably been tired while driving at some point in his or her life. However, when fatigue and exhaustion lead to an inability to focus and drive safely, it becomes a hazard. Fatigue can do the following:
- Make drivers less able to pay attention to the road
- Slow reaction times if needing to brake or steer suddenly
- Impact a driver’s ability to make smart decisions while behind the wheel
Any time a person is unable to safely manage a vehicle, he or she should not get behind the wheel. Each driver bears the responsibility of knowing when he or she is not able to drive safely.
Who is vulnerable?
Technically, anyone could be at risk for driving while tired. However, some individuals may be more prone to fatigued driving, including:
- People who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis
- Commercial vehicle drivers
- Shift workers
- Individuals who use medications that make them sleepy
- Drivers who have undiagnosed sleep disorders
Drivers are accountable for harm suffered by others as a direct result of their actions, and you would be wise to find out if a tired driver may be the reason for your accident.
Moving on after an accident
It can be difficult to rebuild your life and move on after a serious car accident. From medical bills to injuries, you may find that you need support to deal with the aftermath. If a fatigued or other negligent driver contributed to your accident in any way, you could be eligible for compensation for both your financial losses and pain and suffering. It is beneficial to learn about your legal options by reaching out to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.