Atlanta Fatigued Driver Car Accident Lawyers

Representing Victims of Atlanta Drowsy Driver Accidents

There is nothing as terrifying as another driver suddenly veering into your car with no warning. You don’t have time to react, to protect yourself, or to protect your passengers. The injuries and resulting trauma could last a lifetime. Unfortunately, when driving near a fatigued driver, that nightmare could easily come true.

We at the Grant Law Office have seen just how devastating a fatigued driving crash can be. Many of our clients have come to us injured, traumatized, and drowning in medical debt due to a drowsy driver’s negligence. If you or a loved one have been in an accident due to a fatigued driver, then call our firm at (404) 995-3955. Our Atlanta fatigued car accident attorneys can offer our legal expertise and help you get the compensation you deserve.

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Fatigued Driving Is More Dangerous Than You Think

While taking driver’s education classes or learning to drive with your parents, you were likely told the danger of driving drunk. Drunk driving impacts your ability to judge distance, focus, and identify danger on the road. Driving while overly drowsy, however, can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. A fatigued driver who has only averaged six hours of sleep in a 24-hour period of time is likely to:

• Lose focus on the road
• Fall asleep for a second at the wheel
• Have a difficult time judging distance
• Have a reduced reaction time
• Experience blurry vision

These symptoms of fatigue could easily lead to a serious car wreck. Fatigued drivers may neglect to stop at red lights, give the right of way to pedestrians, or even stay in their lane. However, it isn’t just car drivers you should be on the alert for. In fact, a small passenger vehicle may be the least of your worries if a fatigued truck driver is on the road with you.

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Fatigued Truck Drivers

Fatigued driving is a serious issue with truck drivers. Truck drivers work on the road. This means that they drive all day, all week. There are federal laws focused on making sure that truck drivers get the rest they need to stay sharp and focused on the road. Sadly, these regulations are often ignored by trucking companies who may force their drivers to work long hours without breaks in order to maximize profits.

When a driver in charge of operating an 80,000-pound truck falls asleep at the wheel, the results are almost always catastrophic. Truck accidents caused by drowsy drivers can cause pileups and shut down a highway for hours. Those unlucky enough to be involved in the collision will likely walk away with severe injuries, if they walk away at all. Knowing the signs that a driver near you may be drowsy could give you the warning you need to keep yourself safe.

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Watch Out for Tired Drivers

Just as there are signs to look out for with drunk drivers, distracted drivers, and aggressive drivers, there are ways to spot a fatigued driver. By knowing the signs that a driver has become too tired to drive safely, you can avoid driving too close to a dangerous driver. Some common signs of a drowsy driver include:

• The driver seems asleep at the wheel, even just for a couple of seconds
• The driver is swerving in and out of their lane
• The driver is going far below the speed limit
• The driver neglects to stop or swerve before hitting objects in the road
• The driver veers into another lane or off the road completely with no warning

If you see any of this behavior, you may be close to a drowsy driver. The best thing you can do is give them a wide berth. Allow them to pass or safely turn down a side street in order to get off the same road. Once you are safely away from the driver, you should also alert the authorities so that the driver can be stopped before they cause any damage.

If you are a passenger in a car with a driver that you suspect is fatigued, you may want to watch out for them yawning too much, falling asleep for a few seconds at a time, or them consistently missing road signs and turns. If the driver is exhibiting this behavior, then you should ask them to pull over and offer to drive the rest of the distance. If you are not in a position where you feel comfortable driving, or you are not legally permitted to drive, then ask them to stop at the nearest rest stop. You can get out of the car and be on safer ground, and they can rest for a few minutes in order to get their focus back.

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The Long-Term Impact of Fatigued Driving

Like any car accident, a drowsy driver accident can be devastating. After becoming involved in one, whether you were hit while riding your bike, collided with as you rode your motorcycle, or the drowsy driver slammed into your car during your commute, you are unlikely to walk away with just a few bumps or bruises. An Atlanta car accident, especially one caused by someone out of control like a fatigued driver, can lead to severe injuries that may cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. On top of that, the injuries could take months, or even years, to fully heal, if they heal at all.

It is not uncommon for serious auto accidents to result in permanent disabilities, such as with brain damage, medically required amputation, or even paralysis from a spine injury. Such issues could easily lead to you losing your job, having to switch careers in order to match your new abilities, and even move or renovate your house in order to make it more accessible. All of that costs a lot of money, as well as takes a great toll on your emotional well-being. Holding the at-fault party liable, however, isn’t as easy as filing a piece of paperwork. You’ll need an experienced Atlanta fatigued driver accident attorney by your side to get the compensation you deserve.

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We Are Ready to Help

Car accidents, even minor ones, are almost always devastating. You may have been severely injured. Your car could have been totaled. You might now be suffering from emotional trauma. Whatever the fallout of your fatigued driving accident, we want to help. Contact the Grant Law Office, either online or by calling (404) 995-3955 to schedule a consultation with an Atlanta auto accident attorney. With years of experience under our belts, we can fight to get you to the compensation you deserve.

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Additional Information

• Fatigued Driver - National Safety Council
• Drowsy Driving | NHTSA