Some people think that they don’t need to get much sleep in order to handle daily life. While it might be true that they can do some activities without rest, driving shouldn’t ever be included in that list.
Fatigued driving is a problem that can lead to catastrophic crashes, but it can be prevented if drivers would opt to make proper rest before driving a priority. If a crash caused by fatigued driving occurs, the victim may opt to pursue a claim for compensation.
How does fatigue impact a person’s ability to drive?
The effects of fatigue on a person’s ability to drive increase the longer a person goes without sleep. At 18 hours without sleep, the person will experience changes in their driving abilities that are similar to a person who has a blood alcohol concentration of .05%. By 20 hours without sleep, that increases to the same effects as a person who has a blood alcohol concentration of .08%, which is legally drunk.
Why is fatigued driving so dangerous?
Fatigued driving is particularly dangerous because of the chance of microsleeps. These are short bursts of sleep that can occur when the driver is behind the wheel. They can last a few seconds or longer, but even a short microsleep can be deadly.
Immediate medical care is often necessary when a person suffers an injury at the hands of a fatigued driver. That care, along with the loss of income during the healing process, can lead to considerable financial damage. Those victims may choose to seek compensation from the driver, but this is a complex undertaking. It may be best for them to work with someone familiar with these matters so they can focus on their treatment plan and healing.
