Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers Serving Clients in Fort Lauderdale and Throughout Broward County
Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous. At the same time, driver fatigue doesn’t receive the same level of attention as distracted driving and impaired driving, which leads many to underestimate the risks of driving while tired. However, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, driver fatigue is a factor in over 8,000 Florida car accidents each year. If you’ve been injured in a Fort Lauderdale car accident and you believe the other driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, the Blakeley Law Firm can help. At the Blakely Law Firm, we have over 20 years of experience aggressively pursuing compensation for accident victims and their families, ensuring our clients don’t end up on the hook for someone else’s negligence.
Why Is Drowsy Driving So Dangerous?
While drifting off to sleep while driving is perhaps the most obvious risk of drowsy driving, studies show that drivers a motorist doesn’t need to fall asleep to significantly increase the risk of getting into an accident. Driving is an activity that requires all of your attention. However, when someone is sleep deprived, it alters their perception and increases their reaction time. A lack of sleep can also impact a driver’s decision-making skills, making it more likely they will make a bad decision. Studies have also shown that driving while tired has roughly the same impact on someone’s ability to drive as being under the influence of alcohol.
Common Types of Driver Fatigue Accidents
Drivers who are fatigued are three times more likely to get into an accident. While there are many different types of fatigued driving accidents, some are more common than others. For example, head-on collisions are especially common because tired drivers may doze off and drift into oncoming traffic. Similarly, a drowsy driver may drift off the road and onto the sidewalk, causing a pedestrian accident. Rear-end accidents are also common, as drowsy drivers may not realize that the vehicle ahead of them slowed down or stopped.
Determining Fault in Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue
Those who suffered serious injuries in a drowsy driving accident can pursue a claim for financial compensation against the at-fault driver. However, one of the questions that frequently comes up in these cases is how to prove that the other driver was fatigued. The good news is that you may not need to.
To successfully bring a Fort Lauderdale car accident case after a drowsy driving accident, you need to prove that the other driver was negligent. This involves showing that they violated a duty of care they owed you. However, you don’t necessarily need to show that they were tired. For example, a motorist who blows through a red light is negligent regardless of whether they were asleep or awake. Of course, in some cases, such as truck accidents, proving that a driver was fatigued can make a case stronger, but it is not always required.
Have You Been Injured in a Fort Lauderdale Drowsy Driving Accident?
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a car accident with a driver who may have been overly tired, reach out to the experienced car accident lawyers at the Blakeley Law Firm. At the Blakeley Law Firm, we have over two decades of hands-on experience aggressively pursuing full and fair compensation on behalf of our clients, many of which were injured in accidents caused by driver fatigue. We have advanced knowledge of the insurance industry and what it takes to get our clients fair settlement offers without the need for a long, drawn-out trial.
The Blakeley Law Firm offers free consultations, and we will not bill you for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf. To learn more, and to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call (800) 602-5000. You can also reach us through our online contact form. We have offices conveniently located in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.