Arizona Car Accidents Caused By Drowsy Drivers
As Flagstaff car accident attorneys, we know that drowsy drivers are often as dangerous as impaired drivers. On December 8, 2011, a drowsy driver drove his GMC pickup truck into a semi-truck hauling a flat-bed trailer that was parked on the side of the road. Luckily, both drivers were alright, although the pickup truck driver was treated for chest pains. He admitted that he fell asleep at the wheel, according to a news report in the Eastern Arizona Courier.
Arizona Car Accidents: Drowsy Driver Statistics
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety published in 2010, two out of every five drivers fall asleep while driving. Representatives of AAA liken drowsy driving to using drugs or alcohol, saying that driving while tired slows reaction time and impairs judgment. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), 1,287 Arizona car accidents were caused by drowsy drivers in 2010. They resulted in 14 deaths and 579 injuries.
Avoid Arizona Car Accidents: Stay Awake
As Arizona car crash lawyers, we recommend that no one drive when tired. It is highly advisable to take a nap, call for a cab or pull over and wait until morning to drive. If you begin to notice signs of fatigue, pull over in a safe location, such as a rest area, immediately. While many drivers believe drinking coffee or energy drinks may help, they risk serious fatigue when the caffeine begins wearing off. Also, these drinks don’t always work.
Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one is injured by a drowsy driver, an experienced personal injury attorney at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. works to investigate your case and hold the at-fault driver responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages and more. We interview witnesses and study police reports to determine whether the other driver was fatigued or fell asleep at the wheel. We then use this evidence to obtain a settlement for the victims. Contact us for a free consultation at (602) 267-1280. You can also find news, useful information and other topics of interest on our Husband and Wife Law Team Facebook page.
