Traveling local roads can be dangerous enough with distracted and careless drivers at every turn. Statistics show that adding fatigued or drowsy drivers to the mix only increases the risk of severe injuries.
The AAA Traffic Safety Foundation found that 37 percent of drivers report having fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point in their lives. In a single year an estimated 21% of fatal crashes, 13% of crashes resulting in severe injury, and 6% of all crashes, involved a drowsy driver.
These accidents can injure any passengers in the vehicle and put other cars on the road at risk.
Visalia Family in Rollover Accident in Kings County
A Visalia family was in a rollover accident while traveling through Kings County on Sunday morning. The Sun-Gazette reported the accident happened around 9 am south of Hanford off of Utica Avenue near 21st Avenue on August 9, 2020.
The California Highway Patrol responded and found a Ford Econoline Van overturned in a dirt field. Investigators determined the woman driving had fallen asleep, veered out of her lane, and then overcorrected. The van left the roadway and turned over.
Two passengers, a 42-yr-old man and a 39-yr-old man, both suffered major injuries. Two juvenile passengers were also injured.
Getting Help After an Accident Involving a Drowsy Driver
A tragic accident caused by driver fatigue or a driver simply nodding off can have long-lasting consequences for anyone left injured. Medical bills and missed time at work can all hit the victims at once and make it hard to return to a normal life.
A claim for damages can be filed to get compensation to help with things like injury recovery, lost wages now and in the future, any medical equipment needed, and even emotional damages. The at-fault driver will have insurance for this reason, to help any accident victims recover.
Sometimes a passenger is injured and the driver at-fault was a family member or a friend. The victim may be reluctant to file a claim for damages against a driver they know. In reality, your claim for damages is against the person’s insurance company. Generally, a lawsuit won’t target the driver directly. This is why people pay insurance premiums, to help victims left in these situations.
Contact a Visalia Car Accident Lawyer
California law allows a victim in an accident up to two years to file a claim to get help with physical, emotional, and financial damages. We don’t recommend waiting the full two years to file. The longer you wait the harder it will be to gather evidence and collect documents you will need to prove your case to insurance companies. A local attorney can help you with these important details.
After an accident involving a serious injury, speak to an experienced Visalia car accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
