Day: November 6, 2024

In addition to distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving, drowsy driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Georgia and across the United States. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drowsy driving causes approximately 328,000 car accidents each year, resulting in roughly 109,000 injuries and 6,400 fatalities. While drowsy driving is often caused by sleep deprivation, there are also several sleep disorders that can cause drowsiness, particularly if the disorder is not properly diagnosed or treated. If you or someone you know is injured in a drowsy driving car accident involving a driver who suffers from a sleep disorder, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you navigate the claims process and pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve.

What Are Examples of Common Sleep Disorders that Cause Drowsy Driving?

Too often, motorists get behind the wheel when they have not gotten enough sleep. According to one survey, 60% of adults said that they drive while drowsy, and one-in-25 have fallen asleep at the wheel. Unfortunately, the risk of getting into a serious accident increases significantly the more sleep-deprived you are. In fact, drowsy driving can cause some of the same impairments as drunk driving, including reduced coordination, decreased reaction time, and poor decision-making ability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being awake for 24 hours or more is comparable to having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.10%, which exceeds the legal limit in all states. People with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders are at an increased risk of causing a serious drowsy driving car accident. The following are examples of common sleep disorders:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is the most common sleep disorder impacting the transportation industry, including commercial truck and rideshare drivers. OSA is a serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing while you are sleeping. In extreme cases, you could experience over 30 breathing interruptions per hour. Undiagnosed or untreated OSA can cause excessive fatigue during the day, even if you slept through the night. OSA treatment options include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) devices, upper airway stimulation therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications.
• Chronic insomnia. This is another common sleep disorder that occurs when you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. When someone suffers from chronic insomnia, they have trouble sleeping for at least three nights a week for over three months, which can lead to extreme exhaustion.
• Narcolepsy. While less common than OSA and insomnia, narcolepsy is another sleep disorder that can cause drowsy driving. Narcolepsy is a brain and nervous system disorder that can cause someone to fall asleep suddenly at any point during the day, regardless of what they are doing. People with narcolepsy can legally drive if the condition is managed and they take the necessary precautions, like avoiding driving at night or after a meal.
• Restless leg syndrome. This is a condition that causes a strong urge to move your legs while you are trying to sleep, making it difficult to lie still. It can sometimes cause tingling or a creeping or crawling sensation. It can affect the thigh, the calf, or the whole leg.

What Are the Symptoms of Drowsy Driving?

Whether you suffer from a sleep disorder, just got off from a long shift at work, or pulled an all-nighter for a final exam, getting behind the wheel when you are feeling fatigued can have devastating consequences if you are unable to keep your attention focused on the road, or react quickly to unexpected hazards. If you start to experience any of the following common signs of drowsiness, you should pull over to a safe place and get some sleep:

• Frequent yawning
• Unable to keep your eyes open
• Difficulty concentrating
• Drifting out of your lane or hitting a rumble strip
• Difficulty remembering the last few miles you have driven
• You end up too close to the car in front of you
• You become restless or irritable

What Impact Does Drowsiness Have on Driving?

While people recognize the dangers of drunk driving, they do not always realize how unsafe and irresponsible drowsy driving can be, particularly if a driver has gone without sleep for over 24 hours. The following are examples of how drowsiness can have a negative impact on one’s ability to drive safely:

• Inability to focus. If you have to work hard to stay awake, you may not focus all of your attention on the road and other nearby motorists. The more exhausted you are, the more likely it is that you will be unable to focus and concentrate on driving.
• Delayed reaction times. Drowsiness can cause delayed reaction times, which can make it difficult to react quickly and avoid a serious accident.
• Poor judgment. When you are sleep-deprived, the brain does not function at peak capacity. As a result, your judgment may be impaired, making it difficult to make safe, responsible decisions.
• Inability to judge speeds and distances. When your ability to react quickly and make decisions is impaired, you may be more likely to misjudge distances and speed, increasing the risk of a severe car accident.
• Falling asleep. Clearly, if you start to fall asleep at the wheel, this is extremely dangerous and can have devastating, even fatal consequences if you cause an accident with another driver or you drive off the road and hit a stationary object like a tree or phone pole.

The Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Recover Damages for Victims of Drowsy Driving Accidents

If you were injured in a drowsy driving accident that was caused by a driver with a sleep disorder, contact the Savannah car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law. Our skilled legal team will assist you with every step of the claims process. To schedule a consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. Located in Springfield, Georgia, we serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.