Nearly one-third of all Americans do not get enough sleep. For many people, the daily commute to work is a series of head-nodding, yawning and wishing they had one more hour of shuteye.
Distracted exhausted woman driving a car late at night.
You might feel comfortable driving while fatigued – especially if you do it often – but this is an incredibly dangerous habit. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving was a primary factor in 37,000 injury crashes per year on average between 2005 and 2009. According to the NHTSA’s FARS database, at least 846 people died due to fatigue-related crashes in 2014.
All drivers should know the signs of fatigue and how to respond to drowsiness behind the wheel. According to the National Sleep Foundation, motorists should pull over to a safe location if they are:
- Finding it hard to focus on the road ahead;
- Feeling their eyes close or their head drop;
- Yawning and rubbing their eyes;
- Daydreaming; or
- Drifting between lanes, tailgating or missing signs or exits.
If you were injured by a drowsy driver in New Mexico, contact an Albuquerque car accident lawyer from The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income and non-economic damages.
Call 505-207-4401 today to schedule a free initial consultation. You can learn more about car accident injury claims by visiting http://car-accident.usattorneys.com/.
5 Ways to Prevent Drowsy Driving Accidents
Fatigue-related accidents are more likely to happen on long road trips. If you are planning to drive for several hours, it is critical that you take steps to prevent drowsiness.
According to the International Journal of Science and Research, 1 in 6 – or 16.5 percent – of fatal crashes in the United States involve a drowsy driver. You can reduce your risk of becoming a statistic by following these five tips:
- Get plenty of sleep the night before a long drive – at least seven hours;
- Take a break every two hours or every 100 miles – and during that break, take a short nap of 15 to 20 minutes;
- Do not drive at night or when you would normally be asleep;
- Drink coffee – but remember, caffeine can take up to 30 minutes to enter your bloodstream; and
- Stop driving when you feel tired – do not rely on opening a window or playing the radio to keep yourself awake.
If you were injured by a drowsy, distracted or negligent driver in New Mexico, turn to The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC. An Albuquerque car accident lawyer will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim.
With a combined 32 years in legal practice, our injury attorneys have the experience and resources to represent your interests. We take a personal, compassionate approach to every case we handle. Call 505-207-4401 today to schedule a free initial consultation.