When other drivers make poor decisions, it can result in serious accidents and injuries for innocent motorists. One of these decisions is to get behind the wheel and drive while tired. Drowsy driving is a significant problem, yet it is vastly underreported. Tired drivers may be one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in Tennessee and across the country.
If you have ever driven your vehicle while a little sleepy, you are not alone. It is quite common for drivers to be a little fatigued while behind the wheel. There is a difference between being a slightly tired and feeling overly exhausted to the point where a driver can no longer make safe decisions behind the wheel. Exhausted drivers are more prone to making poor decisions and driving recklessly.
The problem with sleepy drivers
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowsy driving is a serious problem across the country. In most cases, accidents involving this factor happen because a person is not getting enough sleep, but sleep disorders and certain medications can make a person dangerously sleepy while driving.
Being tired is more than just a feeling. It could place every person on the road in danger of a car accident. Exhaustion can affect both cognitive function and physical reactions, affecting a driver in the following ways:
- Make a person less able to pay attention to the road and other drivers around
- Impact a driver’s ability to make smart decisions quickly
- Cause a driver to have slower reaction times if he or she has to brake or swerve
These are just a few of the ways that exhaustion can make it difficult to drive safely. While it may seem impossible to prove if a person was tired while driving, it is possible to prove that a person acted negligently or unsafely, ultimately resulting in the accident that left you injured.
Recovering after your accident
You have the right to pursue compensation after an accident if it was the result of another driver’s poor decisions. You do not have to suffer in silence, but you can seek recovery for your medical bills and other expenses.
If you believe that you may have grounds to move forward with a civil claim, you do not have to wait. You can take quick action to protect your rights, starting with a complete evaluation of your case. When your recovery and future are on the line, there is no time to lose.