Drivers in Texas who operate their vehicles while drowsy or fatigued put everyone else at risk. Drowsy driving accidents can inflict a high level of damage, as the driver may not apply the brakes at all before the time of impact. If you get hurt in an accident that is caused by a drowsy driver in Laredo, Texas, you may be able to hold the at-fault party financially responsible for your losses.
How Can a Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer in Laredo Help You?
If you get injured in an accident and suspect the other driver of drowsy driving, contact a Laredo car accident lawyer to help you prove your case and negotiate for maximum financial compensation on your behalf. An attorney will investigate the crash and collect evidence of driver fatigue, such as eyewitness statements and driving logs (if the driver was working at the time of the collision).
Then, your lawyer will help you seek a fair financial recovery by taking over negotiations with a car insurance provider. You can trust a lawyer from Gonzalez Druker Law Firm to fight for optimal case results while you focus on healing from your drowsy driving car accident injuries. We have more than 45 years of combined experience.
How to Recover Compensation From a Drowsy Driving Car Crash in Laredo
Like most states, Texas uses a fault-based law to determine liability, or financial responsibility, for automobile accidents. This law means that when a crash occurs, the driver or party at fault for the accident must pay for the damages.
You may be able to hold a drowsy driver accountable for your losses if you can prove that he or she caused the crash. A successful claim could result in financial compensation for losses such as your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
How Common Is Drowsy Driving?
Drowsy driving refers to an individual operating a motor vehicle with a dangerous level of tiredness or fatigue, often due to lack of sleep. Drowsy driving is a serious nationwide problem. According to the Foundation for Traffic Safety, 29,834 people died in drowsy driving accidents from 2017 to 2021 – accounting for about 17.6 percent of all fatal crashes in those years.
What Causes Drowsy Driving?
Drivers in Texas may push the limits of what is safe when it comes to driving drowsy due to pressure to make it to their destinations on time. Commercial drivers, for example, have to follow tight schedules and meet delivery deadlines. Trucking companies are often guilty of pressuring their drivers to break hours-of-service restrictions, increasing the odds of drowsy truck drivers.
Driver drowsiness can also come from health issues, such as sleep apnea – a medical condition that interferes with the quality of an individual’s sleep and can lead to fatigue. Certain medications can also cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines. If a driver is feeling tired, it is his or her responsibility to pull over and rest.
Signs of Drowsy Driving
As a driver in Laredo, you may be able to prevent an accident with a drowsy driver by learning how to recognize the signs. They can include:
- Inconsistent speeds
- Erratic braking or accelerating
- Slow reaction times
- Drifting in and out of a lane
- Making unsafe or abrupt lane changes
- Hitting the rumble strips on the side of the road
- Falling asleep at red lights or stop signs
If you are unable to avoid a collision with a drowsy driver, these signs could serve as evidence or proof of the driver’s drowsiness to support your car insurance claim or a Laredo truck accident lawsuit.