Drowsy Driving Accidents In Oklahoma City
When a car accident occurs in Oklahoma City, it requires an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and which driver is liable for damages. One not-uncommon cause of car accidents can be difficult to prove, despite frequently resulting in serious or catastrophic injuries. In these cases, a skilled car accident lawyer in Oklahoma City can help gather evidence, establish liability, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Dangerous Is Drowsy Driving?
In today’s busy world, it’s normal to feel tired when driving home from a busy workday, heading out early in the morning, or during a road trip; however, tiredness and drowsiness are not the same things. When a driver feels so deeply tired that they become sleepy or enter the dream-like stage that precedes sleep, they become a serious danger to themselves and others on the road.
Studies show that driving while drowsy has effects that are similar to drunk driving. Drowsy drivers lack the over-confidence and risk-taking behaviors associated with drunk driving but have a greater risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 693 car accident fatalities directly resulted from drowsy driving in a single recent year—a number that’s widely understood as under-reported since it isn’t always possible to prove that a driver was drowsy or fell asleep behind the wheel.
Learn the Signs of Drowsy Driving In Yourself and Others on the Road
Drowsiness can creep up on you, especially when you are driving on long, open roadways without frequent changes in traffic patterns or scenery. It’s important to recognize the signs that your tiredness has escalated into a dangerous drowsy state. Signs that you are becoming drowsy behind the wheel include:
- Frequent yawning
- Eye-rubbing
- Blurred vision
- Narrowing of vision
- Inability to remember the last few miles driven
- Deep daydreaming that begins to resemble the nonsensical thoughts common during twilight sleep
- Nodding off and jerking awake again
Any of the above signs are a warning that you should get off the road immediately and either sleep or engage in brisk activity to increase your blood flow. Drink a caffeinated beverage before returning to the road if you have to continue driving.
It’s also crucial to recognize the signs of a drowsy driver sharing the roadway with you. You may notice another driver departing from their lane and jerking back into it multiple times, slowing and accelerating, following closely behind another vehicle, or applying the brakes without cause. If another driver appears drowsy or otherwise impaired, it’s important to remove yourself from the situation and report the other driver to local authorities.
What Can I Recover In a Drowsy Driving Accident Claim In Oklahoma City?
Drowsy drivers cause serious car accidents, including head-on collisions, T-bone accidents in intersections, rear-end collisions, and sideswipes. Injuries in any two-car collision or a forced roadway departure can be serious or even catastrophic. A successful car accident claim against a liable drowsy driver can recover compensation for common car accident damages such as the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Future income loss or diminished future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for other damages such as disfigurement, loss of limb, the loss of one of the senses, or PTSD
If a loved one died in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver, close family members may recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.
How Can a Drowsy Driving Car Accident Attorney Help?
Proving liability in a drowsy driving accident case often takes a deep investigation with assistance from accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to make a strong, evidence-backed compensation claim. Call Dan Davis Law to speak to an experienced injury lawyer in Oklahoma City to help safeguard your best interests and recover the maximum compensation available to you.