How do you know if the driver who caused the wreck that led to you being injured was too tired to drive? Unfortunately there is no test for fatigue in drivers who cause serious auto accidents, but there are risk factors and population groups that are at risk for drowsy driving.
Here are some things to look for if you think you were injured by a drowsy driver. Risk factors for drowsy driving:
- Loss of sleep, for example the person is up late at night or because they got up very early in the morning
- Drivers who spend a great deal of time on the road (i.e. truck drivers, long-distance commuters) are more at risk for drowsy driving
- Late night drivers are at risk for drowsy driving, since our bodies are programmed to want to sleep late at night
- A driver taking medication that can act as a sedative may be at risk for nodding off behind the wheel. Medications that can cause drowsiness include tricyclic antidepressants, some antihistamines, and anxiolytic hypnotics.
- Drivers with sleep disorders (either diagnosed or undiagnosed) like sleep apnea or narcolepsy are at high risk of drowsy driving
- Alcohol use can lead to a drowsy driving crash
Suspect you or someone you love was injured in a wreck caused by a drowsy driver in Virginia or North Carolina? GET HELP NOW: contact the experienced and aggressive auto accident lawyers at Tavss Fletcher today.