Because it’s such a routine and everyday task, many of us take our driving skills for granted. But safe driving requires undivided focus, fast reflexes, and good judgment. Anything that impairs those abilities—including sleep-deprivation and medication-induced drowsiness—can significantly increase the risk of a crash.
When drivers get behind the wheel while drowsy, they’re putting themselves and others on the road in danger. And at Berg Injury Lawyers, we hold those drivers liable when they cause crashes. Contact our Sacramento car accident lawyers anytime for a free consultation for your accident due to drowsy driving.
What You Need to Know About of Drowsy Driving
The California Office of Traffic Safety says “drowsy driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts all roadway users at risk and can lead to tragic consequences.” Some eye-opening statistics associated with drowsy driving include:
- Hundreds of people die in drowsy-driving-related crashes in California annually.
- Around one in 25 drivers admit to falling asleep behind the wheel during the past 30 days.
- 10-20% of large truck or bus accidents involve a drowsy driver.
Driving isn’t something we should take lightly, and that’s because it’s a complex task that involves many aspects of the body and brain working together. When a driver is fatigued, they experience many negative effects, including:
- Slowed reaction times
- Impaired decision-making
- Decreased awareness
- Microsleeps
The impairment caused by drowsiness is similar to the impairment experienced by drunk drivers. And like drunk driving, drowsy driving is most common on Sacramento’s roads late at night and in the early morning hours. However, drowsy drivers can be behind the wheel at any hour of the day.
Common Causes of Drowsy Driving
Sleep isn’t always prioritized in today’s society. In addition, many people have medical reasons for experiencing frequent drowsiness. Some of the most common causes of drowsy driving include:
- Sleep disorders (sleep apnea, insomnia)
- Shift work and irregular schedules
- Commercial drivers and pressure to meet deadlines
- Medication side effects
- Young and inexperienced drivers
- Long-distance driving on Sacramento highways (I-5, I-80, etc.)
Signs That a Crash Was Caused by a Drowsy Driver
It’s not always easy to determine why a crash occurred—and proving a driver was drowsy is no exception. However, investigators can often point to a few tell-tale signs to determine if drowsiness a factor. These include:
- No skid marks (indicating no braking)
- Single-vehicle or rear-end collisions
- Accidents during peak drowsy times (late night/early morning)
- Commercial driver logbook violations
Berg Injury Lawyers knows what to look for when building drowsy driving accident claims against negligent drivers. If you suspect the driver who injured you was drowsy, we’ll collect evidence to help prove it.
Understanding Liability and Compensation
With enough evidence in our hands, we can hold drowsy drivers liable for their decision to get behind the wheel and endanger others. In addition, we have the experience and resources to hold other parties accountable, too, such as in the case of trucking companies encouraging or forcing drivers to work overtime to the point of exhaustion and sleep-deprivation.
When we build claims for victims like you, we work hard to get maximum compensation for expenses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Long-term care costs
Why Choose Berg Injury Lawyers
When pursuing a drowsy driving accident claim in Sacramento, it’s important to get a firm that understands the city, knows California law, and has a long track record of success. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’re proud of the work we’ve done for injured Sacramentans. When you contact us, you get:
- Four decades of experience (since 1981) with motor vehicle accident cases, including drowsy driving accidents
- A deep understanding of Sacramento’s traffic patterns and accident hotspots
- The resources to thoroughly investigate drowsy driving claims
- A commitment to pursuing and obtaining maximum compensation for our clients
No Fee Guarantee®
You might be worried about hiring an attorney after a drowsy driving accident because of the potential cost, but at Berg Injury Lawyers, if you don’t win, you pay nothing. There’s also no cost or obligation to hire simply to speak to one of our lawyers. We call that our No Fee Guarantee®.
Contact Berg Injury Lawyers Today
It’s common for insurers to deflect blame after drowsy driving crashes. However, there’s no excuse to get behind the wheel when your mental state is affected, whether it’s due to lack of sleep, overwork, a health condition, or a medication. When drivers make the decision to get behind the wheel while drowsy and they cause accidents, they can and should be held liable. Don’t wait another day to get the experienced legal representation you deserve. Our compassionate and dedicated legal team is ready to start building your case. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
