drowsy driver causes car accidents kansas cityMaybe you’ve got a new baby in the house and no one is getting much sleep. Or it’s a crazy time at work, and you’re leaving the house before dawn and coming home way after dark. Whatever the reason, sleepiness while driving (or drowsy driving) accounts for more than 100,000 auto accidents each year. In fact, according to our Kansas City personal injury attorneys, one out of every six fatal accidents is a result of drowsy driving.

Sleeping Behind The Wheel

Why is drowsy driving just as dangerous as driving drunk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration? It turns out that sleepiness and fatigue can cause the same physical reactions as if you had close to the legal limit of alcohol in your system. You’ll find that you are less alert, that your reaction times are impaired, and that your coordination and decision-making skills are weakened.

Long-haul truck drivers are, of course, especially susceptible to drowsy driving. But you may be surprised to learn that it’s just the average driver next door causing these accidents. People who do shift work, young people under the age of 26, commercial drivers, people with undiagnosed sleep disorders and jet-lagged business travelers all are at risk for drowsy driving.

Warning Signs of a Drowsy Driving

  • Inability to recall the last few miles traveled
  • Difficulty focusing or keep your eyes open
  • Feeling as though your head is heavy
  • Drifting out of your lane, hitting the rumble strips
  • Yawning repeatedly
  • Accidentally tailgating or missing traffic signs

Tips to Avoid Driving Drowsy

So what can you do if you realize you’re too sleepy to drive? There’s no substitute for sleep, so pull over if you can and take a short 20-minute nap, experts and our Kansas City personal injury attorneys suggest. They also recommend drinking two cups of coffee or other caffeinated beverage. There is no evidence to suggest that rolling down the window, turning up the radio or stopping to stretch have any benefit in stopping drowsiness.

Injured in an Accident With a Drowsy Driver in Kansas City? Our Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help!

If you’ve been in a car accident and you think the other driver was drowsy driving, you need to have experienced Kansas City personal injury attorneys on your side. Castle Law Office attorneys are licensed in both Kansas and Missouri and can offer you dedicated service to your case.

Call us today at 816-842-7100 to speak with our personal injury attorneys who will fight to get you compensated. Or you can click here to contact us and schedule your free consultation. We don’t get paid unless you win.

Jason C. Amerine
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President and Owner, Castle Law Office of Kansas City