Lewis & Tompkins, P.C. | Maryland | Virginia | Washington, D.C.

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202-296-0666

PLEASE NOTE: To protect your safety in response to the threats of COVID-19, we are offering our clients the ability to meet with us in person, via telephone or through video conferencing. Please call our office to discuss your options.

Lewis & Tompkins, P.C. | Maryland | Virginia | Washington, D.C.

Free Consultations
202-296-0666

PLEASE NOTE: To protect your safety in response to the threats of COVID-19, we are offering our clients the ability to meet with us in person, via telephone or through video conferencing. Please call our office to discuss your options.

The D.C. Area’s Premier Personal Injury Law Firm

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    5.  » There really aren’t too many known laws specifically dealing with drowsy driving. Can motorists in D.C. be found negligent if they are caught driving a vehicle while sleepy?

There really aren’t too many known laws specifically dealing with drowsy driving. Can motorists in D.C. be found negligent if they are caught driving a vehicle while sleepy?

Unfortunately, drowsy driving is a deadly problem that can’t be easily solved. There really is no way to measure how sleepy a person actually is, and how dangerous they are behind the wheel. Police have Breathalyzer tests, line tests and sobriety checkpoints to gauge a driver’s level of incapacitation. Cellphones can provide hard data and evidence about a distracted driver’s cell phone use behind the wheel. But, there really isn’t a way to legislate drowsiness, since one person can function normally on 3-4 hours of sleep, while another may require 7-8 hours consistently.

But, just because it is difficult to prove negligence in a drowsy driving case, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. In the event of an auto accident, an experienced D.C. metro car accident attorney can skillfully help gather the proof needed to present your claims and defend your rights.

There are a few key examples of evidence that are gathered to prove negligent, drowsy driving. These can be used to help build a case in a car accident lawsuit.

  • Witness testimony can provide valuable evidence about a motorist’s driving behaviors. Passengers can give testimony to how long a driver has been behind the wheel. Other drivers can also speak about dangerous weaving or swerving.
  • Cellphone records can provide GPS evidence about how long and how far an alleged drowsy driver traveled.
  • Physical evidence recorded in accident reports can describe a lack of skid marks on a road, tire tracks in a grassy or muddy median, or even vehicle damage at the scene of a crash. This evidence can reinforce witness testimony about a driver’s apparent drowsiness behind the wheel.

Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not you receive justice for your injuries after a crash. If you’ve been injured by a sleepy driver’s negligent choice to get behind the wheel, contact Lewis & Tompkins today at 202-296-0666 to discuss your car accident claim and learn your legal rights.