Did you know that not getting enough sleep can affect you just as much as being drunk behind the wheel? It is true. In fact, a recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests that getting less than seven hours of sleep on a regular basis can actually double your overall chances of being involved in a car accident.
The more deprived of sleep you become, the worse the results. The study also revealed that just two or three hours of sleep deprivation within the same 24-hour cycle can put you at four times greater risk of having an auto accident, when compared to those who get at least seven hours of sleep. Being fatigued is no excuse for putting the public in danger, however. So, if you or someone you love have been seriously injured by a fatigued or drowsy driver, you have a right to be compensated for your injuries. Call the Long Island injury lawyers from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP to schedule a free consultation today.
Who Causes Most Drowsy Driving Accidents?
According to the same study, younger drivers seem more susceptible. Drivers between 19 and 24 years of age are the group that most frequently reported driving fatigued, with at least one-third of all young drivers claiming to have been driving drowsy within the last month. Interestingly, teens (16-18) and seniors (over 75) were the least likely to drive fatigued.
It is tough to know exactly what is behind the statistics, but it is possible that younger drivers have more hectic schedules or may be overconfident. Likewise, they are probably more likely to be out late at night or pushing themselves beyond their limits. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that drowsy driving is dangerous and likely to cause a car accident.
How Does Sleep Deprivation Affect Driving?
It does not take much sleep deprivation to cause problems driving. In fact, when compared to drivers who get the recommended amount of sleep, the following represents the increased risk that results from even a small amount of sleep loss:
- Between 6-7 hours of sleep 3 x the normal risk of a car accident
- Between 5-6 hours of sleep 9 x the normal risk of a car accident
- Between 4-5 hours of sleep 3 x the normal risk of a car accident
- Less than 4 hours of sleep 5 x the normal risk of a car accident
As you can probably tell, the risk goes way up once you drop below five hours of sleep per night. Less than four hours of sleep, and a person is at an enormous risk of being in a auto crash.
Other Factors that Compound the Problem
Of course, in addition to losing sleep, other things can make your risk factor even worse. For instance:
- Driving late at night (or when you are normally asleep)
- Medications
- Driving for longer distances (more than 100 miles at a time)
- Any amount of alcohol
- Driving alone
- Routes that lack differential terrain (flat or boring roads that can make you doze off)
Injured by a Drowsy Driver? Speak to a Long Island Car Accident Attorney Today!
If you have been hurt by a driver who was fatigued, impaired, or otherwise driving carelessly or negligently, then you should be compensated for your injuries. New York’s no-fault laws can be complicated, and you can easily give up your rights if you do not act fast. Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today, and speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer about your case. There is no fee unless we collect on your behalf, so do not delay. (516) 358-6900.
