Being involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by driver fatigue can be a frightening experience. At Morelli Law Firm, we understand how stressful this kind of accident might be. If you were injured in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, a New York accident caused by driver fatigue lawyer may help you pursue compensation to potentially recover your damages.
Call our team at (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation.
Driver Fatigue Can Be Dangerous and Negligent
Driver fatigue is a common cause of road accidents. It involves mental exhaustion and physical tiredness. If drivers do not take proper care of their bodies and follow federal driving hours guidelines, they may be considered negligent if they proceed to drive while feeling fatigued. As such, a victim of a motor vehicle accident caused by driver fatigue may pursue compensation from the negligent driver to potentially recover their accident-related losses.
However, the proof of liability is on you in a personal injury case. When pursuing compensation, you must be able to prove that the other driver was negligent and caused the accident. A New York accident caused by driver fatigue lawyer may help you build your case to substantiate your claims.
The FMCSA Recommends Ways to Prevent Fatigue
Fatigue occurs when a person experiences mental or physical exhaustion, which can directly impair their driving performance should they choose to go on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) details important ways to combat driver fatigue and recommends getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding taking medicines that list drowsiness as a symptom.
If a driver overexerts themselves to continue driving despite being tired, they may injure or even kill someone in a traffic accident. Driving while fatigued is an act of negligence and may be grounds for liability.
Liability of Driver Fatigue in New York
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that driver fatigue can affect your driving ability in a similar way that alcohol does. If someone drives while feeling less alert than they usually do, they may have slower reaction times, poor judgment, and potentially nod off while driving. Operating a vehicle when you are not in a condition to do so can make you liable if you cause an accident.
If you were injured in an accident that involved driver fatigue, the legal team at Morelli Law Firm can help you pursue compensation for your damages. Call us today at (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation.
People Who Drive While Fatigued May Exhibit These Symptoms
It can be apparent when someone is experiencing driver fatigue. Often, signs will be visible in their eyes and face. However, you might also see signs of fatigue as they are driving. Some common signs of driver fatigue include:
- Reduced attention
- Blurry vision
- Poor judgment
- Delayed reaction times
- Decreased motor skills
- Lane drifting
- Less patience
- Abnormally fast or slow speeds
- Rolling stops
If you are on the road and you come across a driver showing any of these symptoms, it is important that you proceed with extra caution. If you get hurt by a drowsy driver, seek medical attention as soon as you can.
Causes of Driver Fatigue
Driving for prolonged periods is not a good idea under any circumstances. This is a common reason for driver fatigue and often leads to many different types of accidents.
Other possible causes of driver fatigue include:
- Insufficient sleep over a couple of days
- Medications
- Urge to sleep during the early morning hours
- Sleep disorders and other factors
Driver fatigue can be an even greater problem for truck drivers. One of the reasons for this involves the incentives they have for completing a delivery as soon as possible. The trucking company’s irresponsible scheduling practices might influence truck drivers to continue driving while feeling fatigued to meet the demands of the job. If so, the trucking company may also be held liable for an accident caused by driver fatigue.
New York Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Accidents Caused by Fatigue May Lead to Severe Injuries
People may suffer the following injuries in a traffic accident caused by driver fatigue:
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Fractured vertebrae
- Internal organ injuries
- Neck injuries
- Herniated or ruptured disks
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Spinal degeneration
- Sprains and strains
In addition to physical injuries, motor vehicle accident victims may also experience emotional trauma, especially if they lost a loved one in the accident. A severe traffic accident can lead to several forms of pain and suffering, such as physical pain, mental anguish, loss of consortium, or permanent disability.
We Can Help You Establish Liability in Your Accident Case
Sometimes the cause of a motor vehicle accident can be straightforward, but not always. When pursuing compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit, you must be able to establish who was liable for the accident. If you can prove that the other driver was operating their vehicle while fatigued, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and damages.
A New York accident caused by driver fatigue lawyer can help you build your case. Our team can investigate the cause of your accident and collect evidence to support your claims. We may be able to conduct interviews with witnesses, obtain work records, and negotiate with all parties involved on your behalf.
Hire a New York Accident Caused by Driver Fatigue Lawyer
If you were in an accident caused by driver fatigue, our law firm wants to help you. We want you to have peace of mind while you recover from injuries suffered in your accident. Call the legal team at Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 for a free case evaluation.