It is not rare to feel tired at any point of the day. Maybe you didn’t get much sleep, and you are waking up very fatigued. Others might have a packed day, enhancing his or her exhaustion. For others, tiredness sets in when they are up late finishing up their busy schedule. No matter the reason for feeling tired, the reality is that when a person is tired, they should not be operating a motor vehicle.
Drowsy driving often gets overlooked because residents in New Mexico and elsewhere often feel the feeling of tiredness. However, a fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as a drunk driving, making it vital to explore this possibility in the event of a car accident.
Based on data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was found that around a third of American adults get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Even if missing an hour or two of sleep does not seem to impact one’s life significantly, the reality is that sleep deprivation can cause various health problems and could result in drowsy driving.
A fatigued driver doubles their chances of getting in a car accident. It was found that when a driver is up for 18 hours straight, they are the equivalent of a driver driving with a BAC of 0.8%. And based on the findings from a recent study, roughly 9.5% of all automobile accidents involve drowsy drivers. This is almost five times higher than the federal estimates.
Following a car accident, it is important for one to understand their rights and options. This means exploring the cause and determining if a negligent driver is to blame. If a fatigued driver caused a crash, they could be held responsible through a personal injury action. This could help an injured victim recover compensation for losses and damages suffered.