Why Is Drowsy Driving Dangerous?

 Posted on January 21, 2025 in Car Accidents

According to the Colorado State Patrol, crashes involving drowsy drivers are on the rise. In 2023, the agency reported 39 collisions that resulted in injury or death. In 2024, totals rose to 56, representing a 43.5 percent increase over 2023 and a 107 percent increase over 2020 figures. While you might think fatigued long-haul truckers caused all these crashes, others also continue to drive when they are overtired.

Why is drowsy driving dangerous? Are you entitled to compensation if a fatigued driver injured you? An experienced Denver, CO car accident lawyer can investigate your crash and explain your legal options.

What Are the Risks Involved With Drowsy Driving?

Nowadays, people are constantly on the go. Parents may work a full day and then take their kids to play sports in the evening. Young adults often work or study during the day and enjoy time with their friends until late at night. There are only 24 hours in a day, and getting enough sleep is often secondary to other activities.

Whether due to sleep deprivation with a new baby, medical conditions that interrupt sleep, shift work, or another cause, fatigue can cause impairments that affect you in a similar way to alcohol and drugs. In fact, the impact of being awake for 24 hours has been equated with having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 percent, which is over the legal limit for driving.

Drowsy drivers often experience microsleep, losing consciousness for up to five seconds. At 55 mph, those drivers travel over 100 yards while asleep. Along with the physical effects of fatigue, drowsy drivers typically exhibit dangerous driving behaviors that increase the likelihood of collisions, such as:

• Inconsistent speed

• Drifting between lanes, even when another car is already occupying the space

• Running off the road

• Sudden swerving or braking

Other drivers can be affected, sometimes crashing because they are trying to avoid the drowsy driver. In other cases, fatigued drivers cause collisions themselves. The deadly combination of having trouble concentrating, lethargy, and heavy eyelids can prevent drowsy drivers from noticing upcoming traffic issues. Delayed reactions, coupled with sluggish motor coordination, can have deadly consequences.

Can I Get Compensation from a Drowsy Driver?

Fatigued driving is 100 percent preventable. As a form of negligence, it can constitute grounds to file a personal injury claim seeking compensation. However, you need evidence to firmly establish that negligence played a part in causing your crash. That is just one of the reasons why it is important to work with a skilled lawyer.

We have the resources to investigate your crash and know how to find the evidence you need. We also understand how to calculate your damages, which could include accident-related expenses and intangible losses like pain and suffering. Insurers will probably try to minimize your payout, but we can either negotiate a reasonable settlement offer or take your case to trial to help you secure the highest available amount.

Discuss Your Case With a Knowledgeable Denver, CO Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer

If a drowsy driver injures you, The Gold Law Firm can help you reach a satisfactory resolution for your accident claim. Schedule your free consultation with one of our dedicated Denver, CO personal injury attorneys now by calling 303-694-4653 or contacting us online.