Fatigue driving is widespread and causes up to 25 percent of all fatal car accidents. Fatigued driving accidents can cause devastating injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and bone fractures. Negligent fatigued drivers can also cause fatal accidents and take the lives of innocent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
If you or a loved one was injured in a Los Angeles fatigued driver accident, you might be entitled to compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at Saeedian Law Group can help you navigate the claims process by gathering evidence and developing effective strategies to negotiate the best settlement possible in your case. Contact Saeedian Law Group today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about your rights.
Why Fatigued Driving Is So Dangerous
When drivers get behind the wheel of a vehicle without getting enough sleep or while under the influence of medication or drugs that cause drowsiness, the risk of causing an accident increases, and driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Drowsy driving impairs a driver’s reaction time and increases the likelihood that they will fall asleep at the wheel and collide with another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian. Drowsy driving can also result in the following:
- Reduced coordination and performance
- Poor judgment
- Confusion
- Aggressive and reckless driving
- Reduced ability to process information around them
- Slowed reaction times for decelerating, braking, and turning
Some individuals are more likely than others to drive while drowsy, including the following:
- Young drivers who may keep late hours
- Late-shift workers who work at night
- Drivers with sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea
- Commercial drivers who are under pressure to drive long hours
Fatigued Truck Driver Accidents in California
Truck accidents caused by fatigue truck drivers can be among the most devastating types of accidents. Due to the heavy weight and massive size of tractor-trailers, collisions involving smaller vehicles can be fatal. Unfortunately, many truck accidents are caused by truck driver fatigue. Truck drivers must work long hours and may experience a chronic lack of sleep. Even though there are federally-required breaks truck drivers must take, some truck drivers ignore these requirements. Proving driver fatigue can be challenging in trucking accidents.
Many trucking companies have commercial insurance policies and may send attorneys to the accident scene to fight against personal injury claims. If a fatigued truck driver has injured you, you need an experienced attorney on your side. Working with Saeedian Law Group can help you level the playing field. We will immediately begin an investigation, gather evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
Proving Liability in a Drowsy Driving Car Accident
When a motor vehicle accident involves a fatigued driver, there’s a good chance that the drowsy driver is at fault or liable for the accident. In most fatigued driving accidents, the fatigued driver makes a poor decision, like swerving into another lane or driving on the wrong side of the row. However, every car accident case is different. As the victim, you must prove that the defendant failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances. You also need to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused the car accident that resulted in your injuries.
When drowsy drivers lose control of their vehicles or make poor decisions and cause an accident, they can be held liable for their injuries. In addition to bringing a lawsuit against the drowsy driver, additional third parties may also be at fault. For example, if a trucking company negligently hired a driver whose drowsiness caused the accident, you may be able to pursue compensation from the trucking company. There may be more than one negligent driver who caused the accident. In that case, you can pursue damages against all negligent defendants.
What to Do After a Drowsy Driving Accident
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience. You may not know what steps you should take to protect yourself and your legal rights. Taking the right steps after an accident can improve your chances of recovering the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve from the negligent driver who caused the accident. If you’ve been involved in an accident, taking the following steps can help you:
- Seek medical treatment immediately
- Follow your doctor’s instructions
- Keep all of your medical records
- Take photos at the scene of the accident
- Identify any witnesses and obtain their contact information
- File a report with the police
- Speak to a Los Angeles motor vehicle accident attorney
Compensation Available in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Fatigue car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. Some injuries are mild, while others are devastating or even fatal. If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, bone fracture, or another type of serious injury, your medical expenses are probably adding up quickly. You may need surgery, rehabilitation, and time off of work to recover.
If you become disabled from your injuries, you may not be able to return to work. The attorneys at Saeedian Law Group can help you determine your current and future medical expenses with the help of medical and financial experts. As a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, you may be entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Speak With Our Fatigued Car Accident Attorney
Were you involved in a Los Angeles car accident caused by a drowsy or fatigued driver? You will benefit from speaking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Saeedian Law Group have a proven track record of holding drowsy drivers accountable for their negligence. We are prepared to discuss your case with you and help you understand your legal options. Contact Saeedian Law Group to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation as soon as possible.
