Modesto Fatigued Driving Accident Lawyer
Fighting For Those Who Were Hit by a Drowsy Driver in California
Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver? At the Law Offices of Dean Petrulakis in Modesto, our fatigued driving accident lawyer helps clients receive the compensation needed to cover their medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses throughout Northern California.
If you or someone you know was hit by a motorist who fell asleep at the wheel, we can build you a case that will allow you to collect the settlement money you need in order to recover from your injuries to the best of your ability.
Hit by a fatigued driver? Call our drowsy driving accident attorney in Modesto now at (209) 528-0404 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
Fatigued Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving causes approximately 100,000 crashes per year in the United States. In 2017, the year from which the most recent data is available, 91,000 motor vehicle accidents involved drowsy driving, killing 795 people.
The National Safety Council claims that motorists are three times more likely to be in a car wreck if they are feeling fatigued.
How Fatigue Affects Driving Ability
It may seem harmless to drive a car while feeling a little sleepy, but sleep deprivation can actually be as detrimental to your driving ability as having several beers. According to the National Sleep Foundation, studies suggest that staying awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08, which is the legal limit in all U.S. states. Drowsiness impairs judgment and slows reaction times, just like alcohol and many types of drugs.
Common Injuries in a Fatigued Driving Accident
Some common injuries include:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Fatigued drivers often fail to react in time to prevent collisions, leading to rear-end accidents. Whiplash, a common injury in such accidents, involves the neck's rapid back-and-forth motion, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: When a fatigued driver causes a high-speed collision, the impact can result in traumatic brain injuries. TBIs could range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe outcomes of fatigued driving accidents. These injuries could lead to partial or full paralysis, significantly impacting the victim’s quality of life and requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a collision with a fatigued driver can cause broken bones and fractures. These injuries often require surgical intervention and prolonged recovery periods, affecting the victim's ability to work and perform daily activities.
- Internal Injuries: Internal injuries, like organ damage and internal bleeding, are also common in severe accidents. These injuries may not be immediately apparent and can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma: In addition to physical injuries, victims of fatigued driving accidents often experience emotional and psychological trauma. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder could affect a victim's mental health and overall well-being.
What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Fatigued Driving Accident Claim?
Potential damages may include:
Economic Damages
These can include:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for medical expenses includes costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any other medical treatments required for recovery.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be qualified to compensation for lost wages. This includes the income you have already lost and any future earnings you cannot earn due to your injuries.
- Property Damage: You can recover the cost of restoring or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Rehabilitation Costs: Rehabilitation expenses, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other necessary treatments to help you regain function and independence, can also be compensated.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are awarded for intangible losses that do not have a specific monetary value. These can include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering covers the physical pain and emotional distress you have endured as a result of the accident and your injuries.
- Emotional Distress: This covers the psychological effect of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which can seriously affect your quality of life.
- Loss of Consortium: If your injuries negatively impact your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium. This damage addresses the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy.
- Reduced Quality of Life: Severe injuries can reduce quality of life, limiting your ability to enjoy activities and experiences you once valued. Compensation for reduced quality of life acknowledges the profound impact your injuries have on your daily living.
Risk Factors of Fatigue
According to the National Sleep Foundation, any of the following factors can contribute to fatigued driving:
- Driving when you would usually be sleeping, such as in the middle of the night
- Getting less than seven hours of sleep
- Having an untreated sleep disorder
- Traveling through different time zones
- Working long hours, multiple shifts, and/or night shifts
Signs of Drowsiness
You should always think twice before getting behind the wheel of a car of you are sleep deprived. If you are driving on little sleep, try to stay aware of how you are feeling in case you need to pull over for a stretch or a quick nap.
The following are common signs of drowsy driving you can pay attention to:
- Daydreaming
- Difficulty keeping your eyes open
- Difficulty maintaining a steady speed
- Difficulty remembering the last few miles
- Drifting out of your lane
- Feeling restless, irritable, and/or aggressive
- Frequent yawning
- Missing road signs, signals, or turns
- Nodding off
- Slow reaction time
- Trouble focusing
- Turning up the radio
If you think you may be too tired to drive, ask yourself: Do I need to get in my car right now? If you’re not in a hurry, consider postponing your drive in favor of a nap. Or carpool with a friend, call a cab, or use a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft (if available in your area). Drowsy driving is too risky to chance.
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I came to the Law Office of Dean Petrulakis after being referred from a friend. I was previously working with another firm who had done very little to help me, let alone communicate with me. Mr. Petrulakis took time to speak with me over the phone and after consideration of the difficulties related to my case, he agreed to take my case. I was very impressed and appreciative of the genuine concern and compassion he relayed. He is very knowledgeable in his craft, and equally kind and personable. He and his assistant Jennifer were amazing communicators who kept me well informed without delay. My case was handled quickly, professionally, and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend the Law Offices of Dean Petrulakis to everyone/anyone who has been injured and needs representation.- K's A. -
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