Drowsy Driving Lawyer Phoenix, AZ
Drowsy driving can be a major factor in motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), a drowsy driving crash (also referred to as sleepy driving or fatigued driving) is a crash in which the driver was reported as drowsy or sleepy based on the police accident report. If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by drowsy driving, a drowsy driving lawyer Phoenix, AZ may need to be contacted to help.
There are some sobering statistics regarding drowsy driving:
- In 2017, there were 91,000 police-reported motor vehicle crashes associated with drowsy driving
- Of those crashes, an estimated 50,000 people were hurt and 795 people died
- Between 2013 and 2017, there were 4,111 fatalities in vehicle crashes.
- 1 in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days
- 19 hours without sleep is comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%
- 24 hours without sleep is comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%
Drowsy driving is certainly a problem in Arizona. Back in December 2019, detectives in Phoenix investigating a deadly car crash near 51st Avenue and Union Hills suspected the driver may have used a prescription medication that caused drowsiness. Also that month, the Arizona Department of Public Safety reported three car crashes in just a five day span, all involving drowsy driving on the state’s highway system, including Interstate 10. In 2018, 1,743 Arizona drivers reported falling asleep or being fatigued at the time of a fatal accident.
There are many reasons for underreporting, including but not limited to:
- lack of firm evidence of such involvement since investigation is done after the crash
- drivers unaware of the role that drowsiness played in the crash
- drivers reluctant to disclose that they fell asleep or were tired
- fatality of the involved driver.
In some instances, however, drowsy driving can be overlooked or perhaps even under-reported. A drowsy driving lawyer Phoenix, AZ may need to hire an accident reconstructionist to determine how the accident could have happened.
Researchers say crashes involving “drift out of lane” could actually be caused by drowsy driving. Data is also limited because fewer than half of all crashes are
police-reported, thus potentially missing single-vehicle drowsy driving crashes with minor or no injuries. On the other hand, over-reporting could also be a problem as there is greater social acceptance here in the United States to cite fatigue as blame, rather than alcohol use, speeding or inattention.
Sleep experts recommend getting adequate rest before going behind the wheel, avoiding medications that make you sleepy, taking breaks when needed and to pull over when feeling tired. If you or a loved one is a victim in an auto accident in the Valley metro area or anywhere in Arizona, contact a drowsy driving lawyer Phoenix, AZ to discuss the possibility of a claim, the settlement and litigation process can be explained in detail. The consultation should be free, there should be no fees or costs unless a settlement is obtained. Call the office of Paul Englander, PLC today.
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