Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

drowsy driving

Why Do Drowsy Driving Car Accidents Happen?

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Drowsy driving is a serious problem with potentially fatal consequences. If you’re feeling drowsy, don’t take the risk.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC),  drowsy driving accidents are responsible for around 100,000 crashes and 1,550 deaths every year in the US. Clearly, this is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. But why do drowsy driving accidents happen in the first place?

tired driver behind the wheel

Not Getting Enough Sleep

This is perhaps the leading contributor to drowsy driving accidents. The CDC recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep every night, but many people don’t get nearly that much. In fact, one-third of Americans get six hours of sleep or less every night. If you’re not getting enough rest, your body isn’t able to function at its best. This means you’ll be more likely to make mistakes and won’t be able to react as quickly if something unexpected happens while driving.

Untreated Sleep Disorders

Another common cause of drowsy driving accidents is untreated sleep disorders. According to the CDC,  chronic sleep-related problems affect around 70 million Americans.  Of these, only a handful are being treated. Many people with sleep disorders are not even aware that they have a problem. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorders can have serious consequences, including drowsy driving accidents. If you suspect you might have a sleep disorder, talk to your doctor. Getting the treatment you need can help you avoid becoming another statistic.

Medications That Cause Drowsiness

Many people don’t realize that the medications they’re taking can make them drowsy and put them at risk for a crash. Some common offenders include antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, prescription painkillers, and even some over-the-counter cold remedies. If you’re taking any of these medications, be sure to read the label carefully and talk to your doctor about any potential risks. And if you’re feeling drowsy after taking medication, don’t get behind the wheel. 

Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol

Another leading cause of drowsy driving is driving while under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol can cause drowsiness by disrupting the body’s natural sleep cycles and impairing judgment and motor skills. Even a small amount of alcohol can make it difficult to stay awake behind the wheel, and as alcohol levels continue to rise, so does the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. In addition, alcohol impairment affects reaction time, coordination, and decision-making, which are essential for safe driving. 

Medical Conditions

Though anyone can be a victim of drowsy driving, those with certain medical conditions are at an increased risk. Sleep apnea, for example, is a disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during the night. This can lead to chronic fatigue and make it hard to concentrate during the day. Other conditions, such as narcolepsy, can cause people to suddenly fall asleep without warning. 

Drowsy driving is a serious problem with potentially fatal consequences. If you’re feeling drowsy, don’t take the risk. Pull over and rest or wait until you can drive when you’re more alert. Remember, it’s not worth risking your life or the lives of others just to save a few minutes.

St. Louis Car Injury Attorney

If you were involved in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced St. Louis car injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact The Hoffman Law Firm today for a free consultation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

3 Common Causes of Car Accidents That Are Avoidable

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The majority of car crashes are caused by dangerous driving behaviors that are avoidable. Here are some common causes and what you can do to protect yourself.

drinking alcohol before driving

Drunk driving results in thousands of fatalities each year.

According to the Insurance Research Council, over 5.6 million car accidents were reported in 2013. 1,591,000 of these crashes caused personal injury, and 32,719 persons died because of their injuries. The majority of car crashes are caused by dangerous driving behaviors that are avoidable. We can always be responsible for ourselves, but we cannot control other drivers and their choices. Avoid a car accident with a reckless driver by becoming a defensive driver.

Drunk Driving

Drinking and driving kills. Nearly a third of all car accident fatalities are caused by drunk driving. However, you can take certain steps to minimize the risk of a car accident with a drunk driver.

  • Avoid late-night driving.
  • Avoid driving on “drinking holidays,” for example, the 4th of July, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
  • Drive on the right side of your lane.
  • Report suspicious driving behavior immediately.

Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving is just as deadly as driving under the influence. 21% of car accident fatalities involve a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, and one in third Americans surveyed admit to driving while excessively tired. Follow the following tips to keep you and your family safe:

  • Get adequate sleep.
  • When on a road trip, take necessary breaks.
  • Pull over and take a power nap.
  • Avoid alcohol and medications that cause sleepiness.
  • Drink caffeine.

Reckless Drivers

Reckless drivers blatantly disregard the rules of the road and will often misjudge common driving situations, leading to accidents. Another third of car accident fatalities are caused by speeding, a form of reckless driving. Other forms of reckless driving include:

  • running red lights or stop signs
  • tailgating
  • weaving through traffic
  • illegal passing
  • ignoring traffic signs and signals

St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

The majority of car accidents are preventable. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when you get behind the wheel that all drivers on the road will behave responsibly. If a negligent driver has injured you or a loved one, call a St. Louis car accident attorney to protect your legal rights. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.

Common Types of Car Accidents Claims that Benefit From the Experience of a Lawyer

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If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident you may be wondering, “Do I really need to hire a car accident lawyer?”

This is a question you likely never thought about before the accident occured. One of the more unfortunate hallmarks of an auto accident is that it is almost always unexpected and that there’s never a good time to be involved in one.

st. louis woman with whiplash after car accident

So if you were recently involved in a car accident in St. Louis and you’re wondering if you should hire a car accident lawyer, the answer is that while it is not required, it is generally a good idea to speak with one. No matter the type of car accident you are involved in, if you sustained an injury, speaking with an experienced attorney about your case is generally a wise decision.

Here are some of the most common types of car accidents that will especially benefit from the assistance of an experienced St. Louis car accident.

1. Speeding

The reason why personal injuries and car accidents caused by speeding have such a strong correlation is that a vehicle that’s traveling past its posted speed limit can pack a pretty substantial punch.

Speeding is among the most common causes of car accidents in St. Louis. If you were hoping that the pandemic might have slowed that down a bit, the truth is that the roads have gotten more dangerous. Quiet streets have inspired some to even organize road races, thereby endangering other St. Louis residents. City authorities did recently respond to the problem by barricading downtown streets in an effort to keep the peace. 

2. Eyes off the Road

It’s the first rule we learn in driving school: eyes on the road. But for some of us, it seems as though the advice goes in one ear and out the other. Truth be told, many accidents are caused by drivers who are simply not paying attention.

Whether they are looking at their phones, joking with a friend in the passenger seat, or turning up the volume of their entertainment system, these distractions can come to a very abrupt and life-threatening halt. All it takes is a split second for the driver to lose control and cause irreparable damage.

3. Drunk and Drowsy Driving

Whether someone stepped into their vehicle after a few glasses of wine or is in dire need of a good night’s sleep, being drunk and drowsy are the two most dangerous states of mind while driving. 

Drunk driving is a pervasive problem across the country. When it is the reason for a car accident, it can add another complicated level of legal gymnastics to acquire your compensation promptly.

Drowsy driving has long been an underestimated issue that is only starting to spur some discussion. Americans fall asleep behind the wheel a surprising amount, with the CDC reporting that 1 in 25 adults have accidentally fallen asleep while driving.

Speak With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen for all kinds of reasons. Still, the overwhelming majority of crashes with a legally complex aftermath involve negligence due to speeding, distracted driving, and drowsy or drunk driving. If you sustained injuries after a car crash in St. Louis, speak with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about your legal rights and options.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

What Makes Drowsy Truck Drivers So Dangerous

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missouri truck driver yawning

We don’t have to tell you that you are facing a lot of potential dangers when you are on the road. Some of them come directly from your behavior, like using your mobile phone when driving or speeding, but others will be directly caused by other motorists. Statistically speaking, there are some categories of drivers that you can meet on the road that are more dangerous than others: teenagers, drunk drivers, and tired drivers.

If you think that driving when tired is just more difficult, but not a reason to pass the wheel to someone else or take a break, you should have a look at the data over the years. Drowsiness behind the wheel is one of the top reasons for deadly accidents in the US. In fact, drowsy driving is considered by many to be similar to driving drunk.

What Makes Drowsy Truck Drivers So Dangerous

Commercial drivers are far more likely to drive while drowsy than other drivers. They drive almost daily, for long hours, and don’t always get the recommended resting time they would need. Sometimes they also have other tasks besides driving, like loading and unloading the merchandise on destination.

Driver fatigue makes you far more susceptible to accidents, as you are not able to react as promptly as normally. Tired drivers sometimes forget to signal when changing lanes or check the blind spots. With trucks, blind spots are already covering quite a big part of the view, so it’s more likely for them to have a collision.

The legally required recovery periods aren’t necessarily always enough to get the truck driver enough rest. Even if the company he works for will make sure he doesn’t drive more than the law mandates, it’s still not possible to predict whether he will have a good night’s sleep or not before driving for 10 hours straight. Regular schedules and resting conditions should always be checked closely.

How to Stay Safe

If you are wondering what preventive measures you should take to ensure you are as safe from harm as possible, here are some tips.

  • Try not to engage in risky maneuvers that involve passing trucks like staying close to them or driving in their blind spots
  • Keep a safe distance between you and any truck
  • Avoid driving long distances at the times of day when it’s more likely to be drowsy: midnight to early morning and late afternoon
  • Learn to detect drowsy driving in other drivers: they drift off their lane, hitting the rumble strips, etc. Then stay away from them.

If you were involved in an accident caused by a drowsy truck driver don’t hesitate to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney. They can help ensure that evidence is collected and your legal right to compensation is protected right from the start of your claim. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.