Drowsy Driving Accidents and Their Serious Consequences

A single vehicle drowsy driving accident in Port Aransas, TX made the news when it took the lives of 3 innocent young children and injured 6 other children and 2 adults. Unfortunately, accidents caused by driver fatigue often tend to gain notice for their serious casualties. Drowsy driving accidents frequently cause more severe consequences than accidents involving awake and alert drivers. When you're injured in a drowsy driving accident, you're more likely to suffer permanent disabilities or disfigurements.

Studies suggest that almost 20% of vehicle accidents result from driver fatigue. Since driver fatigue remains underreported as a cause of accidents, partly because there is no objective test to measure it, the actual percentage may be higher. Other studies conclude that 30% to 50% of fatal accidents result at least in part from driver fatigue. A government study attributed over 50% of single vehicle accidents to fatigue.

Fatigue-related accidents generate higher costs in terms of vehicle damage, lives lost and debilitating injuries than most other accidents. Some factors contributing to the severity of drowsy driving accidents include:

* The high speeds at which many crashes occur;
* The tendency of vehicles with drowsy drivers to veer off the road before crashing;
* A high frequency of rollover events;
* Sleeping drivers make no attempts to slow or stop before they crash;
* Drowsy drivers have a slower response time to dangers; and
* Drowsy drivers have a slow reaction time in taking remedial actions.

As a Coastal Bend, TX Injury Accident Lawyer, I serve many a client who has been injured in a drowsy driving accident. I help them build their successful claims against drowsy drivers for the costs of injuries and accident losses. A sadder duty requires building a claim for the loss of a wrongfully killed family member. 

When you win your claim, the drowsy driver (or his insurer usually) must pay you for the damages he or she caused. Sometimes your losses might exceed a million dollars. Drowsy driving accidents might also result in criminal charges against the driver. In short, a moment of driver fatigue can precipitate a costly wake up call for a drowsy driver.

You can't always avoid an accident when a drowsy driver suddenly veers into your path. But if he does, we could help you successfully recover the high costs of the serious accident consequences that have changed your life. Call now if you need help after being injured in a drowsy driving accident.