A driver in Aurora, Oregon fell asleep while driving and caused a three-car accident this week, resulting in injuries. According to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, the at-fault driver fell asleep behind the wheel on Wednesday afternoon, crossing over the center line and colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

That car flipped over and landed on its roof, injuring the driver. Immediately after that, a second car hit the vehicle of the sleeping driver head-on. There's no information yet on the condition of that driver or the driver who caused the accident. Though this incident occurred in Oregon, it still rings true in Denver and throughout Colorado.

The Dangers of Drowsy Driving in Denver, CO

In this car accident, the at-fault driver clearly fell asleep behind the wheel, which caused the collision. He or she will likely be held accountable for the damages resulting from the accident. But it's not always so clear who caused the accident and why. Many people who drive drowsy don't actually fall asleep at the wheel, so it's hard to pinpoint what caused the crash.

Even if the driver doesn't actually fall asleep while operating the vehicle, drowsy driving is still extremely dangerous. After all, you need to be fully alert to drive safely and avoid causing a devastating car accident.

Unfortunately, drowsy driving is a big problem and a common cause of car accidents, as there are about 100,000 accidents every year due to tired drivers causing about 70,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths. Many of these types of accidents occur due to:

• Falling asleep and driving into oncoming traffic
• Not noticing other cars on the road
• Not noticing the light is red
• Veering off the road
• Speeding
• Swerving
• Braking suddenly.

What To Do After a Car Accident Caused by Drowsy Driving in Colorado

If you were in an accident in Colorado and suspect that the other driver was too tired to be safely driving, it's important that you try to prove this. You want to ensure the driver doesn't make the same mistake again. You also deserve to get compensation to help pay for any medical bills and car repairs you had to endure due to the accident.

Of course, it's not always easy to prove someone was too drowsy to drive safely. But the following are some of the most common signs of a tired driver:

• Yawning a lot
• Can't remember the last few miles he or she drove
• Missed an exit
• Drifted or swerved in and out of lanes
• Drove off the side of the road.

If you were able to notice any of these signs in the other driver before your Colorado car accident, he or she may have been driving while too sleepy to do so. But you'll likely need additional evidence to prove your suspicions right. You might need a copy of the police report, a witness statement, pictures and videos, and more.

It can be difficult to collect this kind of evidence on your own, but an experienced car accident lawyer will know how to go about the process. This is why you should contact a Colorado auto accident lawyer if you're considering initiating a lawsuit against a drowsy driver. Schedule a free consultation today to start discussing your case.