Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyer NewsThe Dangers Of Drowsy Driving
In many ways, the effects of driving while fatigued mirror the effects of driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. According to some studies, sleep-deprived motorists have slower reaction times than those who are drunk. Similar effects have been reported concerning “lateral control,” or the ability to stay within the boundaries of a single lane.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that drowsy driving, and drowsy drivers, are responsible for the following:
- An estimated 91,000 police-reported collisions annually;
- About 50,000 car accident-related injuries each year; and
- Approximately 800 deaths per year.
In New York, state-level statistics indicate a similar pattern, with factors such as “fatigue or drowsy driving” and “driver fell asleep” cited in 2,337 police-reported injury and fatality crashes—all in the course of a single, recent year.
Although certain groups of people, including young adults and shift workers, are much more likely to be involved in drowsy driving-related collisions than others, fatigue can affect anyone, at any time, and in any place. If and when accidents happen, the consequences can be catastrophic, often leaving victims to contend with intense physical pain and unexpected financial hardship.
Proving That A Drowsy Driver Caused Your New York Car Accident
Some people put aside money for emergencies, but few have the means to budget for a life-altering accident. Even outside the high costs of medical care, paying for a serious injury can be challenging: survivors must often sacrifice their income, earnings, and quality of life while working toward recovery.
However, you don’t have to accept financial strain in place of fair compensation. If you have been injured in a drowsy driving accident that was not your fault, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you explore your options for legal relief.
A personal injury lawsuit, for instance, could provide more resources than an insurance settlement—but filing and litigating a claim isn’t always easy, and it typically necessitates both extensive preparation and a rock-solid body of evidence.
Our experienced team of attorneys could give you your best chance of success, by taking steps including, but not limited to, the following:
Investigating the Causes of Your Accident
Since New York is a no-fault state, accident victims have to file a claim through their personal insurance provider before filing a lawsuit. And, in most cases, the right to take an at-fault motorist to court is granted only to victims who have suffered serious injuries caused by another party’s negligence.
The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you investigate the causes of your accident, obtaining the evidence needed to demonstrate another driver’s liability.
Obtaining Proof That Another Driver Was Fatigued
Establishing that another motorist was fatigued usually requires a great deal of circumstantial evidence.
Our attorneys could help you secure critical evidence by subpoenaing the at-fault driver’s communications records, work schedule, or travel history, using any available information to determine whether they were likely too fatigued to be behind the wheel.
Assessing Your Damages, and Negotiating a Fair Settlement
Your recovery should include more than the simple repayment of your medical bills: it should include the resources you need to reclaim your physical and financial independence.
Since our founding in 2007, we have helped our clients across New York secure more than $175 million in damages. We could help you, too. Please send us a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a drowsy driving car accident lawyer and find out how much your case could be worth.