Can I Sue If a Fatigued Driver Caused My Injuries in a Car Accident?

 Posted on March 12, 2021 in Car Accidents

Most people greatly underestimate the effect that being sleepy has on their ability to drive. According to the National Safety Council, being awake for 20 or more hours straight has the same effect on driving as being intoxicated. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was too fatigued to drive safely, it is important to know your rights. You may be able to hold the driver accountable and recover compensation through a personal injury claim.  

Negligent Driving Caused by Sleep Deprivation

Most adults have felt the effects of sleep deprivation at least once in their lives. Reduced attention span, increased reaction time, and difficulty making decisions are all common consequences of getting too little sleep. If a driver is too fatigued to pay attention to the road and drive cautiously, he or she should pull off at a rest stop or other safe location. Fatigued drivers may:

• Drift between lanes
• Run red lights or stop signs
• React too slowly to avoid a collision
• Fall asleep at the wheel

Truck Driver Fatigue Due to Falsified Logbooks

The drivers of commercial trucks are often especially at risk of fatigued driving. To reduce the incidence of truck accidents caused by sleepiness, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has instituted certain restrictions on how long truckers can drive. Truck drivers must keep track of the hours that they drive and when they take rest breaks in a logbook. However, some truck drivers lie about how many hours they have driven. If your accident was caused by a sleepy truck driver, the driver’s logbook and data from the truck’s electronic control module (ECM) may be used as evidence in your case.

Seeking Compensation for a Car Crash Caused by a Sleepy Driver

If your car accident was caused by a fatigued driver, you may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. To get compensation, you and your attorney must show that the driver’s negligent driving caused your injuries and that your injuries incurred damages. Damages are the losses you suffered because of your accident. You may be able to get compensation for damages such as:

• Medical expenses

• Lost income from missed work

• Damage to your earning capacity caused by your injuries

• Vehicle repair costs

• Pain and suffering

• Disfigurement

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Lawyer  

If you were hurt in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, you may be able to sue for damages. A Cook County personal injury attorney from Barrington Injury Attorneys can help. Call 224-900-HURT for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatigued-driving