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Drowsy Driving in Denver

Drowsy driving, also known as sleepy or tired driving, is incredibly dangerous and accounts for hundreds of accidents every year. Tired drivers are less safe, less observant, and less able to avoid injuring themselves and others. Drowsy drivers who cause accidents can be considered negligent and therefore can be held responsible for any injuries or property damage they cause to others.

If you or someone you care about has been injured or killed as the result of an automobile accident in Denver or the greater Denver metropolitan area, an experienced personal injury attorney at accidentdenver.com can fight for the financial compensation you deserve.

Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyers in Denver, Colorado

If you were involved in a drowsy driving-related car accident in Denver or the surrounding areas, you likely suffered significant injuries. The drowsy driver who caused the injuries should have to be the one to pay, not you. When the accident is not your fault, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party and be financially compensated for your injuries.

No matter how small or how big your case may be, the accidentdenver.com team will keep you informed every step of the way throughout the process and they will handle every detail seamlessly to put you on the road to recovery. Our team at accidentdenver.com pride themselves on clear, honest, and open communication with each and every one of their clients.

Our attorneys at accidentdenver.com take cases on a contingency basis, which means that you pay nothing until your case has reached a favorable resolution. Let us put our years of experience to work for you and your loved ones.

Drowsy Driving in Colorado

Drowsy driving is one of the most dangerous causes of car accidents in Denver and the surrounding areas. Drowsiness may simply mean sleepy, or it could be caused by an intoxicated driver who is attempting (and failing) to stay awake. Safe driving requires a fully attentive driver behind the wheel and one who is both alert and awake. A very tired individual, or even one who falls asleep while driving, will almost inevitably lead to an accident.

Drowsy Driving Statistics

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 328,000 drowsy driving accidents occur in the United States every single year. This is an incredibly common problem.  About 20% of studied drivers admit to falling asleep behind the wheel at some point in the last year, and another 40% have admitted to this having happened at least once in the entire time they have been driving.

In 2015, an estimated 5,000 people died as a result of drowsy driving. This incredibly high number of deaths shows the high level of danger presented by these types of cases. The National Highway Transportation Safety Association estimates that fatigue-related crashes also account for about $109 billion each year in death and injury costs, not including the amount of property damage.

Effects of Drowsy Driving

When a person is tired behind the wheel, the possible scenarios and causes of accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • people not seeing others on the road
  • inability to sustain attentiveness
  • falling asleep and crossing into oncoming traffic
  • going off the side of the road
  • lack of awareness of hazards
  • missing red lights at an intersection
  • excessive speeds
  • swerving or other unexpected behavior
  • sudden braking

A driver who is fatigued is at least three times more likely to be in an accident than a driver who is awake and alert at all times. This means that the types of effects listed above are three times more likely to happen around you when a drowsy driver is near. This greatly increases the likelihood of a collision with another driver.

Proving Drowsy Driving

Proving drowsy driving can present a unique challenge in some cases. First of all, it is often not important whether the person was sleepy or not, as the negligent act itself is what caused the accident (i.e., drifting into your lane.) The fact that drowsiness caused that negligent act is not necessary to prove in order to win in your personal injury case.

However, if you can prove that the other person was drowsy through some evidence, it lends credibility to the rest of your case and the fact that the negligent act of this other driver was the cause of your injuries. This can be an incredibly useful and effective way to handle your case.

To prove the other driver's drowsiness contributed to the accident, you and your lawyer could show:

  • that the other driver admitted to falling asleep at the wheel
  • that the other driver admitted to being "tired," "exhausted," or other similar words at the time of the accident
  • police report evidence that the other driver appeared tired
  • testimony of passengers in the other driver's vehicle that he or she was tired
  • evidence that the other driver worked a long work shift before getting in the car
  • evidence that the other driver had a medical condition or sleep disorder that could cause exhaustion or drowsiness

Any of the above methods of proving drowsy driving can be very effective in helping you prove your case. However, you do not have to do this yourself. An experienced attorney knows what to look for, and what rocks to turn over when looking for this kind of helpful evidence. You deserve to have an attorney who will work hard to prove your case above and beyond the minimum requirements.

Consult an Experienced Denver Drowsy Driving Auto Accident Lawyer

Drowsy drivers are dangerous. When someone was the cause of your accident and the injuries you suffered, you are entitled to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible. You should not have to bear the burden of the medical bills, lost wages, and property damage that you suffered. The drowsy driver should have to bear those costs.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the greater Denver metropolitan area, please do not hesitate to contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here waiting for you.

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