West Chester, PA Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyers

Drowsy driving accidents are a serious and often overlooked issue in West Chester, PA, despite the fact that it can be just as dangerous as impaired driving. If you’re involved in a crash with an impaired driver, it’s important to protect your best interests, find out if you are owed compensation, and begin fighting for justice.

The team at Kingbird Legal can help. We’ve seen how drowsy driving can destroy lives and leave victims with medical bills, lost work opportunities, and property damage. Let’s discuss your next steps now; just call us at 484-289-4880.

The Scope of Drowsy Driving Accidents

Drowsy driving is tragically common across the United States; per the NHTSA, it was responsible for nearly 700 deaths in 2022. The actual prevalence of drowsy driving can be difficult to track, as drivers are unlikely to report their unsafe driving habits. After an accident, they are particularly unlikely to disclose dangerous behavior to the police or to their insurance adjuster. However, estimates indicate that over 90,000 crashes per year may be the result of drowsy driving. Experts across multiple fields indicate that drowsy driving numbers are significantly underestimated, so it’s likely an even more serious problem than we think.

What Makes Drowsy Driving So Dangerous in West Chester?

The danger of drowsy driving comes from its profound impact on a motorist’s physical and mental faculties. Exhaustion severely limits a driver’s alertness, drastically reducing their ability to respond swiftly to sudden road changes or hazards. This compromised state mirrors the effects of alcohol impairment, where decision-making skills and motor coordination are significantly hindered. 

The slowdown in reaction can turn a near-miss into a disastrous one, as drowsy drivers may not brake or maneuver in time to avert an accident. Additionally, the risk of microsleeps—brief, involuntary episodes of loss of attention—escalates the more tired a driver becomes. Such scenarios dramatically increase the likelihood of high-speed collisions, as drivers are less likely to engage in corrective actions like braking or swerving. There’s always the potential for catastrophic injuries. The insidious nature of drowsy driving lies in the fact that people think they are safe to drive because they’re just “a little tired,” even though a little bit of tiredness quickly escalates to full-blown fatigue.

Common Causes of Drowsiness Among Drivers

The root causes of drowsiness behind the wheel are multifaceted, ranging from lifestyle choices to medical conditions. A lack of sleep due to long work hours or parenting demands often leads to fatigue, impairing a driver’s alertness and reaction time. Additionally, embarking on extended journeys without adequate breaks heightens this risk, as the monotony of driving long distances can exacerbate tiredness.

Medical issues, particularly untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, also play a crucial role. These conditions disrupt normal sleep patterns, leading to daytime sleepiness despite seemingly adequate rest.

Moreover, the body’s natural circadian rhythms dictate periods of wakefulness and sleepiness, typically dipping during the early hours of the morning and mid-afternoon. Driving during these low points in the circadian cycle can increase the risk of drowsiness.

Recognizing these causes is the first step in mitigating the risk of drowsy driving, emphasizing the need for drivers to be proactive in managing their sleep and health to ensure safety on the roads.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Drowsy Driving

To mitigate the risk of drowsy driving, proactive strategies are key. Ensuring sufficient rest before embarking on a drive is essential. For those feeling the onset of tiredness while on the road, finding a safe place to stop and rest, even briefly, can be a life-saving measure. It’s recommended that you avoid the hours late at night when the body naturally craves sleep, or at the very least, to plan for a driving partner who can take over when fatigue sets in. 

Regular breaks, ideally every two hours or 100 miles on long journeys, help to refresh concentration and alertness. Additionally, being aware of one’s own peak sleepiness times, according to natural circadian rhythms, and planning travel outside these periods can further prevent the risk of drowsy driving. Alertness can also be maintained by avoiding heavy meals or medications that induce sleepiness before driving.

Legal and Social Implications of Drowsy Driving Accidents

The repercussions of drowsy driving accidents extend far beyond the immediate physical damages. Legally, individuals responsible for accidents due to drowsiness may face significant consequences, including criminal charges for negligent driving or even manslaughter in severe cases. Victims of drowsy driving accidents also have the right to seek compensation after a collision. 

While proving drowsy driving can be a challenge, it certainly isn’t impossible. A vehicle’s black box may contain clues that point to drowsy driving, such as sudden slowdowns or acceleration, drifting to one side or the other, and sudden evasive action after long periods of minimal activity. Additionally, some types of accidents immediately point to drowsy or impaired driving, such as head-on crashes that occur when a drowsy driver crosses the median.

This is why it’s important to work with a drowsy driving accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. You could very well be entitled to significant compensation, but actually recovering that compensation can be a challenge without the right evidence and legal guidance.

How Kingbird Legal Can Help

At Kingbird Legal, we understand how quickly drowsy driving can lead to devastating accidents and life-changing injuries. While the person who caused your accident may not have set out to put others at risk, the fact is that their fatigue left them unable to drive safely—and you can hold them accountable for that. From medical bills and lost wages to property damage, you may have sustained serious losses because of your car accident. We can help you fight for the compensation you’re owed.

Reach Out Today to Start Your Claim

The team at Kingbird Legal is committed to helping victims like you seek full and fair compensation. Get started now by claiming your consultation, where we’ll learn more about your accident and injuries. Just reach out online or call us at 484-289-4880 to get started.