When people think of dangerous actions a motorist can make while behind the wheel, they may imagine someone speeding, running a red light, texting and driving or drunk driving. However, another action that leads to a significant number of motor vehicle accidents in Minnesota is drowsy driving.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowsy driving has numerous causes. One that may seem obvious is simply not getting enough sleep at night. Commercial drivers who put in long hours behind the wheel may also experience driver fatigue. Those who work the night shift may also engage in drowsy driving. Having an untreated sleep disorder can lead to drowsy driving. Finally, certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness.
Falling asleep while driving can certainly lead to car accidents, but even if you don’t fall asleep behind the wheel, simply being drowsy can also lead to a collision. Motorists who are fatigued are less able to pay attention to the task of driving. Their reaction time may be slowed, and they may be unable to make good decisions while driving. This could lead to auto accidents that injure or kill others on the road.
Ultimately, drowsy driving is a very real danger on our roads and is an act of negligence. If you are injured in a car crash caused by a drowsy driver you could be left with severe injuries and damages, along with emotional distress. This could lead to many unexpected expenses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. For these reasons, those injured in collisions caused by drowsy drivers may decide to pursue a personal injury claim, in order to seek recovery for their losses.
