Dallas Fatigued Driver Accident Attorneys

Legal Help for Victims of Dallas Fatigued Driver Accidents

Getting in the car to go where you need to go is an important part of the American way of life. Many people drive to and from work, home, family and friend’s houses, and the grocery store. This means many people get behind the wheel when they are exhausted; whether because of work, school, home life, or a million other reasons. Whatever the cause, there is real danger to driving while fatigued.

Drowsy drivers injure and kill countless people every year. There is no way around it: fatigued driving is a negligent act, and should be treated as such. If you have been injured by a drowsy driver, then you are probably in need of compensation. Thankfully, we at The Lenahan Law Firm can help you get the settlement you need to get on the path of financial recovery. To learn more, contact our office at (214) 295-1008 and speak to a member of our incredible team.

How Fatigue Impacts the Brain

Our brains require sleep. After a long day, we just aren’t as capable of the same judgment calls, decision-making, and responsible thinking as we are when we are well-rested. In fact, driving while fatigued has been shown to have similar impacts on the brain as driving while drunk, which has long been understood to be negligent. Some common side effects of fatigue include:

• Slower reaction time
• Poor judgment
• Less alertness
• Difficulty staying focused
• Cognitive impairment
• Blurred vision
• Poor speed control

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), driving after being awake for 18 hours is comparable to driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .05%, which is nearly the legal BAC limit for drivers. Driving after being awake for 24 hours is similar to driving with a BAC of .10%, which is above the legal limit. Considering that driving while drunk is illegal in every state in America, Texas included, the fact that driving while overly tired is directly comparable is a clear indication of just how dangerous drowsy drivers can be.

The Danger of a Drowsy Driver

Thanks to constant outreach and education programs run by concerned citizens and activist groups, most people are aware of the damage they can cause by getting behind the wheel while drunk. However, there is far less outreach to teach people about the dangers of driving while fatigued. This leads to exhausted people getting behind the wheel, despite being far too tired to drive responsibly. Unfortunately, these negligent drivers often cause deviating accidents, and leave their victims with debilitating injuries, such as:

• Broken bones
• Severe burns
• Brain damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Crush injuries
• Organ damage and internal bleeding
• Loss of limb
• Deep lacerations
• Road rash

Furthermore, just as drunk drivers can cause fatal accidents, so can fatigued drivers. Many Americans lose their lives every year to sleepy drivers who got behind the wheel when they should have taken a nap instead. While there is no way to bring a loved one back, families can file wrongful death claims in order to recover compensation from the at-fault party.

Holding the At-Fault Driver Liable

Driving while tired is not illegal in Texas the same way drunk driving is. There are some states, such as New Jersey, that do outlaw driving while overly tried, and there has been a push in many states to bring more attention to this issue. While fatigued drivers can be charged under reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter laws in Texas, they rarely are. While in some cases, such as with a drunk driver, it may seem prudent to wait for the justice system to punish the at-fault driver, we do not recommend using that approach with a fatigued driver.

Could the drowsy driver be prosecuted in criminal court? Potentially. However, even if he is, a criminal case does not guarantee you compensation. Restitution is sometimes ordered for victims, but there is never a promise that it will be in your case. This could leave you dealing with mounting medical debt and property damage on your own, with no way to pay it off. That is why we always recommend a civil case. During a claim, you can demand compensation for the damages that you suffered due to the accident, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost job opportunities
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Lowered quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment

In a Dallas personal injury claim, you have the opportunity to tell your side of the story, and receive the compensation you not only need, but also deserve. No one should be left paying for an accident they didn’t cause, especially if the at-fault party did something as negligent as getting behind the wheel while fatigued. However, how much you are awarded and how soon you get it will rely on the attorney that you choose to work with. A strong, experienced legal team can help ensure that you get as high a settlement as possible.

Speak With Our Dallas Car Accident Lawyers

A collision caused by a fatigued driver in Dallas can be devastating. Given their inability to focus on the road and pay proper attention, sleepy drivers often cause catastrophic accidents, leaving their victims with severe or life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one has been victimized by a fatigued driver, then you are in need of expert help. We at The Lenahan Law Firm have years of experience as Dallas car accident attorneys, providing excellent legal advice and fighting for our clients’ rights. To speak with a member of our incredible team and find out how much your case is worth, call our firm at (214) 295-1008 today.

Additional Information

• Driver Fatigue as a Cause for Truck Accidents