Common Questions About Driver Fatigue
Our Arlington Heights, IL car accident lawyer can help if you’ve been involved in a collision with a fatigued driver. Read on to learn more about driver fatigue, and get in touch with the professionals at Therman Law Offices, LTD for a free consultation.
What Is Driver Fatigue?
Driver fatigue is pretty self-explanatory: It’s any time a driver is too tired to safely operate a motor vehicle. Most people assume this means “not enough sleep”, but it applies to a variety of circumstances. A driver may experience driver fatigue if he or she had an intense workout at the gym, or had to work overtime at the office.
Driver fatigue can be hazardous, not just for the driver, but for others on the road. It’s important to recognize the warning signs of driver fatigue so you can avoid causing and accidents on your commute.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Driver Fatigue?
There are many different signs of driver fatigue. Behind the wheel, tiredness can take different shapes. Some fatigued drivers may swerve into other lanes or experience slowed reaction times, and others may be more likely to take extra risks on the road.
If you’re driving but you suddenly can’t remember where the last couple of minutes (or miles) went, it’s a pretty strong sign that you’re experiencing driver fatigue. It’s important to know what to look out for when you’re on the road, and it’s important to know who’s most at risk of driver fatigue.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Driver fatigue can affect anyone. If your work prevents you from adequately resting before you head home, or you’re just not getting enough sleep, you’re more at risk of driver fatigue affecting how you handle your vehicle.
On the other hand, diet, exercise, and health play a factor in driver fatigue as well. Eating heavy meals before getting on the road can make you feel more tired, and working out hard before buckling up for a long drive means you may be too exhausted to safely drive as well. There’s also the risk of medications causing drowsiness.
How Can I Avoid Driver Fatigue?
There’s only so much caffeine, loud music, and full A/C can do for you if you’re exhausted. Everyone has their own tips and tricks for avoiding driver fatigue, but unless it involves getting adequate rest before hitting the road, those tips and tricks don’t work.
If you want to avoid driver fatigue, avoid driving while tired. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, and make sure you aren’t eating anything too heavy before a drive. If you have to take any medication that may induce drowsiness, talk to your medical professionals about how to minimize your side effects. And worse case, pull over someplace where you can get some rest.
When Should I Contact A Lawyer?
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a fatigued driver (or you were fatigued when you were involved in an accident) you should get in touch with a lawyer who can help you manage your case. Every car accident is different, and insurance providers are usually pretty slow to release that much-needed money.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer Today
The right legal team can help you get the money you need from your insurance provider, and anyone else who may have been responsible for your injuries. Get in touch with Therman Law Offices, LTD today, and see how an Arlington Heights car accident lawyer from our office can help.