Montgomery County Accident Attorney: Drowsy Driving Dangers

Drunk driving. Distracted driving. Teenage driving. Texting and driving. The list can go on and on describing common risk factors of vehicle accidents. But, one concern often overlooked by many is the concept of Driving While Drowsy. For many, the idea of drinking and driving can be one of the most destructive decisions a motorist may make. However, the facts show that drowsy driving can be just as deadly as drinking and driving.

For many Americans, fallings asleep at the wheel, or driving drowsy, is a frequent occurrence. According to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 60% of adult drivers (168 million) have driven while drowsy. Each year, falling asleep at the wheel causes an estimated 71,000 injuries and 1500+ fatalities as a result of catastrophic vehicle accidents.

Why Is Sleepy Driving So Dangerous?

Very similar to driving while intoxicated, the dangers of drowsiness while driving can cause serious traffic accidents. These dangers include:

• Slow reaction time
• Decreased awareness
• Impaired judgment
• Increased moodiness, irritability and aggressiveness: emotional responses can lead to poor decision-making

Any time a motor’s attention is taken off of the road and surroundings, not only are they putting themselves in harm’s way, they are putting others at risk of experiencing a devastating and costly car accident.

At Lewis & Tompkins, we believe that drivers who choose to get behind the wheel while drowsy and cause traffic accidents should be held accountable for their negligent choices. If you’ve been injured due to another motorist’s sleepy driving, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Call our Maryland car crash attorneys at 202-296-0666 to arrange a free, no-hassle consultation to discuss your options and rights.