Fatigued driving is a form of impaired driving. It may be more prevalent than you may realize, as it is considered one of the leading causes of car accidents. Read on to discover what happens when a driver falls asleep at the wheel and how a seasoned Toronto car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can represent you in any of your upcoming legal proceedings.
What is fatigued driving?
Put simply, fatigued driving is considered an individual’s operation of a motor vehicle while being cognitively impaired by a lack of sleep. With that being said, signs and symptoms that you may be too tired to drive include the following:
- You are frequently yawning.
- You are having difficulty keeping your eyes open.
- You are having difficulty keeping your head up.
- You are having difficulty maintaining your speed.
- You are having difficulty maintaining your lane.
- You are having difficulty following road signs or signals.
What should I do if I am involved in an accident with a fatigued driver?
It is an unfortunate truth that fatigued driving accidents are reported approximately 100,000 times per year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And with these 100,000 reported incidents, approximately 800 fatalities and 50,000 injuries occur.
Fatigued driving is unacceptable. So, if you have been made a victim of such an incident, then you must immediately bring a personal injury claim forward. This may just be the only way that you can receive the financial compensation that you require to heal. Immediately after your car accident, you should take the following approach:
- Call the police: law enforcement officials will arrive at the scene to conduct an accident report and dispatch an ambulance. Retrieve a copy of the accident report later on.
- Document the scene: photos and videos are necessary to capture your injuries, car damages, contributory hazards, and the overall scene.
- Collect contact information: proceed with caution as you approach the fatigued driver for their contact information. If you want to wait to do so with law enforcement officials present, then take a photo of their license plate number in the meantime.
- Gather witnesses: present witnesses may be crucial to offering photos and videos from different viewpoints, along with testimony later on.
- Seek medical help: allow EMTs to attend to you in the ambulance. You should go to the hospital and follow-up appointments with your physician as directed, and collect copies of medical documents and bills along the way.
Last but not least, you should retain the services of a competent Toronto auto accident lawyer. We will do everything in our power to fill the gaps in your case and ultimately let justice reign. Pick up the phone and give us a call as soon as you can.
