There’s a lot of different causes of car accidents in California, but none are more universal than drowsy driving. Pretty much everyone has needed to drive while they’re feeling tired, whether it’s to work in the morning or during a long trip. Although it’s not technically against the law, drowsy driving has become such an issue that the first full week of November is designated as “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.” If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident caused by drowsy driving, contact us today for a free consultation.
Why is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week in November?
Drowsy driving occurs every day in California and throughout the country. But there’s actually a specific reason that Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is the first full week of November–that’s when daylight savings time (DST) ends.
Practically speaking, when DST ends it means that it gets darker sooner and lasts longer. This disrupts circadian rhythm, which is your body’s internal clock. And when this happens, you usually don’t sleep as well. This, obviously, leads to you and other people behind the wheel being more tired, which impacts everyone on the road.
2023 data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) found that there were over 4,000 accidents caused by drowsy driving, and it’s not difficult to see why. Being tired means you aren’t as sharp and alert, which can lead to accidents.
Specifically, though, drowsy driving causes accidents for the following reasons:
- Slower reaction time – When you’re drowsy, your brain and body react to things more slowly. This means it takes longer to respond to sudden changes like a car swerving or a red light turning yellow.
- Dulled senses – Your senses, like sight and hearing, become less sharp when you’re tired. You might not notice a pedestrian crossing the street or another car approaching quickly.
- Difficulty focusing – It’s harder to concentrate on the road and traffic when you’re drowsy. Your mind may wander, and you could miss important cues.
- Falling asleep – In severe cases of drowsiness, you might fall asleep at the wheel, completely losing control of your vehicle.
All of these factors taken together shows just how dangerous drowsy driving can be. This is the main point of Drowsy Driving Awareness Week, but the fact remains that it’s an ongoing issue.
What Kind of Car Accidents Happen Because of Drowsy Driving?
It’s pretty easy to see how drowsy driving can cause a car accident, but another important question involves the type and severity of the accidents themselves. With all the factors that come up because of drowsy driving, it means higher speeds, greater impacts, and certain kinds of accidents that are more prevalent:
- Head-on collisions – These happen when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash into each other. This is often a result of a drowsy driver drifting into oncoming traffic.
- Rear-end collisions – These happen when one vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. Drowsy driving can cause drivers to react slowly or not at all, leading to rear-end crashes.
- Rollovers – These happen when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof. Drowsy driving can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, especially when swerving to avoid obstacles or going off the road.
While these are the most likely accidents that can happen because of drowsy driving, it’s important to understand that sharing the road with a drowsy driver can lead to any type of car accident. In turn, this means you’ll be facing serious injuries and other losses you’ll need to deal with. Our experienced team at Maison Law can guide you through this process.
Get Help from Maison Law After a Drowsy Driving Accident in California
Car accidents can be unpredictable, especially when the other driver is tired or drowsy. But you do have choices. At Maison Law, our experienced team of California car accident lawyers are here to guide you, whether you decide to file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover damages like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Repair or replacement costs for your car or other damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents
With our experience and resources, we can explain what your options are, help you gather evidence, then negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement. If need be, we’ll even file a lawsuit and take your case to court to make sure you get the financial support you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
