Drowsy driving puts everyone on the road at risk of becoming seriously injured. Every year, thousands of innocent victims become injured in catastrophic drowsy driving accidents. When drivers fall asleep at the wheel or drive while drowsy, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and cause a devastating accident.
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a drowsy driving accident in New York, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Attorney Michael LoGiudice is prepared to help you pursue the full compensation you need and deserve for your injuries. Successful personal injury plaintiffs can recover compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Why Is Drowsy Driving So Dangerous?
Driving in New York requires constant vigilance to traffic, changes in traffic patterns, and road conditions. Road construction is ongoing in some areas, and rush-hour traffic can be daunting. When a driver falls asleep at the wheel, even if only for a few seconds, the likelihood of a serious car accident increases significantly. Unconscious drivers cannot make any evasive maneuvers to avoid a crash, including braking and slowing down to avoid a collision. Fatigued drivers are more likely to engage in the following dangerous behaviors:
- Tailgate
- Speed
- Blink and yawn frequently
- Lose focus on the vehicles around them
- Have difficulty keeping their heads up
- Miss red lights, stop signs, and exits
- Ride over rumble strips as they drift onto the road’s shoulders
- Have difficulty remembering the last miles they have driven
Drowsy Drivers Can Cause Head-on Collisions
Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel may do so with their foot on the gas pedal, causing them to collide with another vehicle while traveling at high speeds. When higher speeds are involved, the accident is more likely to cause severe or fatal injuries.
Drowsy drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal head-on collisions because they may drift into oncoming traffic when they fall asleep. In addition to head-on collisions, drowsy drivers are more likely to cause T-bone, rollover, and rear-end accidents.
Common Causes of Drowsy Driving
Most drowsy driving collisions occur when a driver drifts out of his or her lane, causing sideswipe, side-impact, or head-on collisions. There are many causes for drowsy driving, including shift work. Employees who work the night shift or irregular hours may experience sleep deprivation. Truck drivers are often required to drive long hours. They may not take their federally required breaks because they are trying to complete hauls, resulting in drowsy driving. When drivers are sleep-deprived, they are more likely to cause accidents.
In other cases, drivers have consumed drugs or alcohol, making them more drowsy than normal. Similarly, when drivers take over-the-counter or prescription medications with a side effect of drowsiness, they may drive while drowsy. Finally, drivers with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea, may cause accidents by drowsy driving.
Proving Liability in Head-on Collisions
In order to recover compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you’ll need to prove liability. Under New York laws, victims of car accidents are entitled to compensation from the party or parties whose negligence or recklessness caused the car accident resulting in their injuries.
Unlike drunk driving, there are no tests police officers can use to determine whether a driver was driving while drowsy. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contacting an attorney as soon as possible can help you determine liability. Depending on the facts in your unique case, the following parties may be at fault:
- Commercial truck drivers and bus drivers
- Drivers who worked the nightshift
- Negligent employers
- Drivers with an undiagnosed sleep disorder
- Intoxicated drivers
- Drivers taking a medication
We Will Thoroughly Investigate Your Case
Michael LoGiudice, LLP has the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate the car accident that caused your injuries. He frequently works with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to determine the liable party or parties. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible can help you obtain important evidence before evidence disappears and the witnesses’ memories fade. An experienced accident attorney can help you gather all available evidence indicating a drowsy driver caused your injuries, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Prescription medication records for medications known to cause drowsiness
- No skid marks at the scene of the accident, indicating the at-fault driver didn’t try to brake to stop his or her vehicle from colliding with your vehicle
- The at-fault driver’s school or work attendance records may indicate the motorist was suffering from sleep deprivation
- Social media posts, cell phone records, and credit card records proving the driver had been awake for a lengthy time period
Drowsy Driving Can Cause Severe Injuries
When fatigued drivers ignore their need to rest, they can cause pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers and passengers severe injuries. The average vehicle weighs thousands of pounds. In a collision involving a reckless driver, the force of the collision on a victim’s vehicle and body can be extreme. Victims can suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, burns, and internal injuries in drowsy driving accidents.
Many of these injuries can be life-altering, requiring ongoing rehabilitation and around-the-clock care. Plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits can pursue economic and non-economic damages, including damages for current and future medical expenses, lost income, loss of earning capacity, disability, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. Attorney Michael LoGiudice will work with financial experts to determine the total value of your claim.
Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Attorney in New York
When you work with Michael LoGiudice, he will immediately begin investigating your case and developing a strategy to recover compensation. With decades of experience, he has a proven track record of recovering significant compensation for car accident victims. When you work with Michael LoGiudice, LLP, you can rest assured that he will handle every aspect of your case while you focus on your recovery. Contact Michael LoGiudice, LLP to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal rights.