A disturbing number of Pennsylvanians choose to drive without getting adequate rest first, and that choice often leads to serious accidents. While many think nothing of getting behind the wheel while a little tired, the truth is that fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk or drugged driving.

Why You Need to Find Out If a Drowsy Driver Caused Your Crash

Tired Driver Rubbing His Eyes While DrivingDrowsy driving is a form of negligence, which can make the other driver at fault for the crash and liable for your damages. It's sadly very easy for a fatigued driver to drift out of their lane and into a head-on collision, miss a red light and cause a T-bone crash, or collide with the back of a vehicle if they can't stop in time. Drowsy driving is a particular danger to everyone on the road because it can lead to:

Drowsy Driving Can Lead To

  • Directly falling asleep at the wheel
  • Impaired decision-making ability
  • Slowed reaction time

Unfortunately, whether the other driver fell asleep or not may not be immediately obvious at the scene. The jolt of adrenaline from the accident can affect the at-fault motorist as much as the injured victim, and they may not seem tired when the police arrive at the scene. That's why it is crucial to have an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney investigate your accident.

An attorney can assist by finding the root cause of the accident through depositions, requests for documents or video footage, and other types of evidence. That investigation may reveal drowsy driving scenarios. 

Drowsy Driving Scenarios

  • Commercial truck drivers on the road for too many hours while violating logbook rules
  • Drivers using prescription medication that causes drowsiness
  • Getting behind the wheel with an untreated sleep disorder
  • Workers getting off extremely long shifts

Talk to Car Accident Attorney If you Were Hit by a Tired Driver

Do you suspect the driver in your accident was drowsy or fell asleep at the wheel? You have a legal right to pursue compensation from the negligent party. Contact the Heslin Law Firm to learn more about the next steps to take towards protecting your financial recovery.