The Dangers of Fatigued Driving in Vero Beach, Florida
According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults between the ages of 18-60 need seven or more hours of sleep each night to function at full capacity.
Unfortunately, busy schedules, family obligations, and the day-to-day stresses of life can keep anyone from getting the recommended amount of sleep.
When we are tired, we have slower reaction times and temporary lapses in judgment, which become dangerous when operating a motor vehicle, whether it is a car, truck, or motorcycle.
And that type of inattention may have life-changing consequences.
At The Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, P.A., our personal injury lawyer in Vero Beach knows first hand how quickly drowsy driving can change lives and are here to help our Florida residents pursue the financial recovery they deserve when their quality of life has been compromised by a drowsy driver.
How Many Traffic Collisions Occur Each Year Due to Drowsy Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, last year there were approximately 91,000 motor vehicle accidents caused by drowsy driving, which was consequently responsible for nearly 800 fatalities.
While many fail to see the dangers in driving while fatigued, the reality is that operating a vehicle without enough sleep has similar effects to driving while intoxicated, according to the National Safety Council.
When someone is too tired to drive, they may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms, which can lead to serious accidents occurring without notice:
- Difficulty keeping their eyes open and/or nodding off
- Drifting in and out of driving lanes
- Failing to recognize/obey traffic signs and signals
- Veering off the road, or forcing another vehicle off the road
- Driving the wrong way
- Making improper turns
- Failing to maintain a safe lookout for other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or objects
Not including property damage, drowsy driving costs the U.S. economy over $109 billion each year. For our clients, who have been severely injured by negligent drivers, those costs include expensive medical bills, lost wages, and overwhelming stress as they work tirelessly to get their lives back on track.
How Can I Hold a Drowsy Driver Accountable for My Florida Car Accident Injuries?
Like other car accidents where our innocent clients are injured by another driver’s negligence, we must prove their fatigue caused the collision and the injuries that followed.
Our experienced Vero Beach car accident lawyer will thoroughly examine your case and review the evidence from the crash scene, as well as the official police report, witness testimonies, and any possible video footage from nearby businesses, vehicle cameras, or other sources that will help build our case for success.
When a driver’s drowsiness contributes to a traffic accident, our personal injury attorney in Indian River County will pursue their insurance company for all our client’s losses and injuries, while giving our clients the time they need to heal.
If you have been injured by a fatigued driver, contact our Vero Beach auto accident attorney at the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, P.A. today by calling (772) 492-8967 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights and how we can help you pursue financial recovery from the at-fault party.
