Driving while drowsy and falling asleep while driving leads to thousands of injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A tired driver can cause an accident that can result in catastrophic injuries to others. A person in another vehicle may experience a concussion, back and neck injuries, whiplash, and broken bones. Injuries can be particularly severe, even fatal, if the driver who falls asleep behind the wheel operates a large vehicle, such as a truck or a bus.
If you experienced injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Los Angeles that resulted from driver fatigue, you may suffer from physical pain and financial stress. Medical bills and an inability to work may have your family struggling financially. You do not have to suffer alone, though. You have a right to legal representation for your case.
A Los Angeles driver fatigue lawyer may be able to help you pursue a financial award to compensate you for your suffering due to the accident. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case and your legal options.
Why Driver Fatigue Is So Dangerous
A driver who falls asleep while operating their vehicle may crash into another vehicle, a roadway divider, or a building, or the vehicle may careen off the road and down an embankment. Such an accident can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries to the driver, people in other vehicles, and individuals who may be walking on the sidewalk or who may be in a nearby building.
Even driving while you are only slightly tired is dangerous. A tired driver who struggles to stay awake may not make good decisions and or may not react quickly enough if another vehicle changes lanes or slows down, or an animal runs into the road. Slowed reaction times can contribute to a collision.
A driver who is tired may not realize that a turn or an exit they need to take is coming up. The driver may then slam on the brakes or change lanes quickly to avoid missing the turn or exit, endangering other drivers.
Reasons Why People Drive While Tired
Some motorists work long hours, have a sleep disorder, or experience a significant amount of stress that affects their sleeping patterns. Some drivers have a health condition and take medication that causes drowsiness as a side effect.
Drivers include people who work at night and travel home early in the morning, those who have inconsistent schedules, and those who travel at night for work, such as long-distance truckers, bus drivers, and tow truck drivers. These people may become drowsy or fall asleep behind the wheel. Some people drive while tired because they feel that they have no choice. For example, if a driver needs to make a delivery and has a strict deadline, the employee may feel compelled to drive through the night, which can put others at risk.
Often, drivers do not realize how tired they are or think they can push through and make it safely to their destination. Some people believe that opening a window or playing loud music will help them stay awake and alert, but getting rest is a much better solution, especially on a long trip.
For a free legal consultation with a Driver Fatigue Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
How a Los Angeles Driver Fatigue Lawyer May Help
A driver may not operate a motor vehicle, and a motor carrier may not require or allow a driver to operate a vehicle if fatigue could affect the person’s ability to operate the vehicle safely, according to the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. The law makes an exception for emergencies. A driver may not operate a vehicle if fatigue, illness, or another impairment restricts their alertness or ability to drive.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposes safety rules and restrictions on motor carriers as well in order to protect drivers and the public. Its rules state that a driver may not operate a commercial motor vehicle if the driver is too tired or sick to operate the vehicle safely. The motor carrier must not insist on the driver operating the vehicle, either.
A Los Angeles driver fatigue lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can investigate the circumstances that led to the collision that injured you. We can review the accident report, and we may seek information on the driver’s medical history to find out if the individual had a condition or was taking a medication that caused drowsiness and that made operating a vehicle dangerous.
If the driver was working at the time of the accident, we can look into the company’s policies and investigate their compliance with regulations, such as the driver’s hours of service rules. That information can help us figure out who is liable for the accident.
Los Angeles Driver Fatigue Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Get Help With Your Personal Injury Case
A Los Angeles driver fatigue lawyer can help you seek justice if you suffered injuries in an accident. If you choose to have Pintas & Mullins Law Firm represent you, you will not have to pay us unless we recover financial compensation for your injuries.
California’s Code of Civil Procedures §335.1 only gives victims two years to file an action. Do not lose your chance to hold a negligent party responsible for the losses their accident caused you and your family. If you wait too long, you risk losing your rights to take legal action in the form of a personal injury lawsuit. The sooner you contact us, the sooner our team may be able to begin working on your case. Call our office at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
