Statistics provided by the Northwest Territories Transportation show that driver fatigue contributes to four percent of all fatal car accidents, and 20 percent of all non-fatal car accidents.
A 2005 study conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation concluded that 20 percent of all Canadians admitted to falling asleep at least once in the past year while driving. Driving fatigue not only puts yourself in danger, but also other individuals riding in your car, and others travelling on our roadways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident as a result of the negligent actions of a fatigued driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses and damages including loss of wages, property damage, medical expenses and pain and suffering.
To learn more, call us today at (866) 320-4770 or click “here” to reach us online 24/7.
Your initial consultation is FREE and we only get paid when we obtain a recovery.
Signs of Driver Fatigue
Police reports indicate that during the early hours and middle of the day tend to be the highest times for individuals to be involved in fatigued driver accidents. Signs and symptoms of driving fatigued are known to impact a drivers reaction time and awareness long before the driver is aware that they are tired.
Thus, there are many warning signs that we should be aware of before we begin to drive.
A few common signs include:
- Excessive yawning or fidgeting
- Inability to recall last couple kilometers
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty carrying on a conversation
- Drifting across the road
- Heavy eyelids or frequent blinking
- Missing traffic signs, exits, or signals
If you are travelling with a fatigued driver, it is advised to recommend taking a rest break at the next opportunity or offer to drive. There are also several techniques that can be implemented to avoid driving while fatigued, which may help to save the lives of those travelling both inside and outside of the vehicle.
How To Avoid Driving While Fatigued
If you know you are going to be driving soon, there are several steps you can take to assure you will be awake for the full time of travel. These techniques will help you avoid driving while fatigued and assure you arrive at your destination safely.
Also note that after the first few minutes after sleeping or resting, your body is fatigued, so it is best to allow your body to completely wake up before driving.
Some suggestions to help avoid driving while fatigued include:
- Get out of the car and stretch every two hours or 100 miles
- Drink caffeine and chew gum
- Take your time; make sure to give yourself enough time for breaks on the way to your destination
- Avoid driving during your normal sleep hours
- Don’t drive if you feel you may be falling asleep, pull over and take a quick nap
- Avoid taking long trips alone, this will help you take breaks when needed
- Get a good nights sleep before driving
- Avoid any new medications before driving
Remember, it is always best to think safety first before getting behind the wheel of your car. If you have any suspicion for any reason that you should not be driving, then don’t, for it could save the life of yourself and other innocent individuals.
Fatigued Driver Accident Injuries
As with most car accidents, there is a likely chance that injuries may occur from a fatigued driver accident. These accidents may vary in severity depending on how coherent the fatigued driver is.
Clearly, if the driver has completely fallen asleep at the wheel, these accidents will be much more severe than a slightly fatigued driver.
Some common fatigued driver accident injuries include:
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Rib and torso injuries
If you or someone travelling in your vehicle suspects they are suffering from an injury resulting from a car accident, it is advised to seek the attention of a medical professional immediately. Not to mention, any documents of the crash and injury are essential in building a case towards the negligent individual that caused the accident.
Contact An Experienced Windsor Law Firm For Help With Your Claim
At Greg Monforton and Partners, we believe that a car crash victim suffering from injuries caused by the negligent actions of another individual has the right to obtain justice for their injuries in the court of law, thus holding the negligent party accountable for their actions.
With our office located in Windsor, we are licensed to serve the entire province of Ontario.
Some locations we serve include:
- Windsor
- Leamington
- London
- Chatham-Kent
- Kitchener
- Sarnia
- Scarborough
For additional information about our car crash lawyers, we welcome you to contact our firm at (866) 320-4770 where a helpful member of our intake team will gather the information from your crash and connect you with one of our experienced lawyers. Our legal services are performed on a contingency fee basis, meaning, we will not charge for our services unless there is a winning verdict or settlement.
Begin here, simply fill out the Free Case Review form on this page it’s 100% FREE to send and strictly confidential.
Injured in an accident with a fatigued driver? Contact us at (866) 320-4770 .