According to the National Safety Council (NSC)Â and a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy or fatigued driving causes more than 100,000 car crashes every year in the United States. About 71,000 of these accidents lead to injuries, while about 1,550 cause fatalities.
Loncar Associates represents injured people at no upfront cost. An El Paso accident caused by driver fatigue lawyer at our office may be able to accept your case, and you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you. Call today for a free consultation: (877) 239-4878.
DRIVING WHILE FATIGUED IN TEXAS
According to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, 71% of adults drive to commute to their workplaces.
- 27% of these drivers admitted to driving while fatigued at least a few times in a month
- 12% admitted to driving while drowsy a few times in a week
- 4% admitted to drowsy driving almost every day
- 23% say they personally know someone who has crashed their car after falling asleep at the wheel
Most fatigue driving-related accidents occur between 4 am and 6 am. Other common time slots for these accidents are between 12 am and 2 am and between 2 pm and 4 pm. Factors that may cause fatigue driving include:
- Lack of enough sleep
- Taking prescription medication
- Driving under the influence
- Sleep disorders
Driver fatigue accidents can be quite damaging because a drowsy driver has no control of their motor vehicle if they fall asleep. The drivers are not in a position to take evasive action like swerving or braking.
TRUCK DRIVER FATIGUE
According to SleepHelp, a study performed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the NHTSA revealed that fatigue was a “critical factor” in 13% of all accidents involving large commercial trucks—this means that it was determined these accidents would most likely not have occurred if driver fatigue was not an issue.
Due to the nature of their job, truck drivers tend to spend more time on the road. The drivers are under pressure to deliver the goods in their trucks quickly. The more ground a truck driver covers, the more money they earn. Tracking regulations exist to dictate how long a truck driver should be on the road. The rules exist to protect the drivers and everyone else they share the road with, but these rules are sometimes broken.
For a free legal consultation with a Driver Fatigue Accidents lawyer serving El Paso, call 877-239-4878
POTENTIAL INJURIES CAUSED BY DRIVER FATIGUE ACCIDENTS
Sometimes the aftermath of driver fatigue accidents can affect people for the rest of their lives. Some possible types of sustained injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Head injuries
- Amputation
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Coma
- Death
If you have been harmed by a driver fatigue accident, an El Paso accident caused by driver fatigue lawyer at Loncar Associates may be able to represent your interests. Call (877) 239-4878Â today for your free consultation.
El Paso Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-239-4878
POSSIBLE LEGAL DAMAGES FOR VICTIMS OF DRIVER FATIGUE ACCIDENTS
If a fatigued driver contributed to your injury, you may deserve compensation for damages. You may be able to get compensation for:
- Loss of wages
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Medical bills
- Wrongful death if a person died
- Pain and suffering
Contact our El Paso Driver Fatigue Accident Attorneys today
AVOIDING FATIGUED DRIVING ACCIDENTS IN TEXAS
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that some signs that you may be too drowsy to drive are:
- Excessive yawning
- Having trouble keeping your eyes open or your head straight
- Drifting from your lane
- Not being able to remember what happened or what you saw during the last few miles you drove
- Missing turns or exits
If you do recognize any of these signs while driving, pull over immediately, drink a caffeinated beverage, and take a 20 to 30-minute nap while you wait for the caffeine to take effect and you can safely get back on the road again.
In order to prevent drowsy driving accidents, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also recommends that you:
- Get plenty of sleep the night before a long trip
- Travel at times when you are typically awake
- Do not work all day and then attempt to drive all night to reach your destination
- Do not drive if you have been awake for more than 18 hours straight
- Take a break from driving at least every two hours
- Travel with one or more awake passengers
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THE TEXAS STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
People who are injured in Texas have a maximum of two years to initiate a lawsuit against fatigued drivers, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. One of the most important things you need to know about the statute of limitations is that when you file a lawsuit after the deadline, the court will most likely dismiss your case unless there is a rare exception.
HOW A LAWYER MAY BE ABLE TO HELP
You may be entitled to compensation if negligence was involved in your accident. At Loncar Associates, we may guide you through the legal process and fight for your rights.
Driver fatigue accident cases can be complicated, as the driver may deny being fatigued. At Loncar Associates, we rely on facts. If need be, we may work with accident reconstructionists and investigators who may be able to strengthen your case. For instance, we may interview witnesses and examine the driver’s work schedule and any drug prescriptions they may have.
There are a lot of urgent tasks that an El Paso accident caused by driver fatigue lawyer may be able to assist you with. Call Loncar Associates today at (877) 239-4878Â to speak to a member of our team. We provide introductory case evaluations at no cost.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
