Just like drunk driving and distracted driving, drowsy driving causes terrible mistakes behind the wheel that injure and kill people. Many people do not appreciate just how reckless it is to drive a car while fatigued.

About one in 25 adult drivers fall asleep at the wheel every month, and in 2013, drowsy driving caused 72,000 car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the true number may be higher because it is not always easy to know whether an accident was caused by drowsy driving.

Notice The Warning Signs Of Drowsy Driving

If you were involved in an accident that involved any of the following elements, drowsy driving may be to blame.

• A driver drifted from the lane before the crash.
• The car accident happened after a driver missed an exit or a turn.
• The driver hit or went over a rumble strip in between lanes or on the side of a road.
• A driver had difficulty remembering what happened before the crash.
• The driver yawned or blinked frequently during interactions after the accident.
• The accident involved a commercial truck. While not all truck accidents are fatigue-related, commercial drivers are more likely to drive drowsy.

You might not be able to find out all of this information about the other driver, but if your accident resulted in serious injuries, you should work with an attorney who can help determine the cause of the accident and hold the responsible party liable. At Martin Law Office in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, we offer free initial legal consultations to victims of serious car accidents and their loved ones.

Prevent Drowsy Driving Accidents

You can help prevent drowsy driving accidents before they occur by being a responsible driver, and encouraging others you know to do the same.

1. Develop good sleeping habits to ensure you consistently get enough sleep. Adults need at least seven hours a night, and teens need eight.
2. If you have a sleep disorder or symptoms like snoring or fatigue during the day, see your physician.
3. Avoid taking medications that make you drowsy.

If you ever experience a symptom of drowsy driving, like lane drifting or anything else mentioned above, pull over to rest for 15 to 20 minutes or change drivers. Rolling down the window and turning up the radio are not enough to keep you alert.