Most workers feel exhausted driving home to Brooklyn after a long night shift. Some of them might experience the warning signs of dangerous drowsiness that could lead to car accidents. Frequent blinking and yawning, lane drifting and blanking out for miles indicate that drivers are at a heightened risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. Shift workers who put in long hours or night hours are among the categories of people most at risk for drowsy driving accidents. Commercial drivers are also vulnerable to getting tired while operating buses, tractor-trailers or tow trucks.
On top of occupational causes, sleepiness can result from untreated sleep disorders and medications. Sleep apnea is a condition that prevents people from sleeping properly because it continually interrupts their breathing. Their lack of restful sleep places them among drivers with greater risks of drowsy driving. People who ignore medication warnings about drowsy side effects or do not realize what medication might do can expose themselves to drowsy driving risks as well.
Due to the prevalence of drowsy driving, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the public to make sleep a priority. Adults generally need at least 7 hours of sleep every day to function well. Ideally, people will maintain a consistent sleep schedule, seek medical attention for sleep disorders and never mix alcohol with medication.
If a motorist who fell asleep while driving injures another party, legal action may be warranted. The injured person might enlist the support of a personal injury lawyer. This attorney might conduct a thorough accident investigation that uncovers evidence of fatigue, intoxication or reckless driving on the part of the at-fault party. With legal help, a person burdened by injuries might build an effective case that illustrates financial liability.