Washington, DC Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer

How Does Sleep Deprivation Impact Your Driving?

It’s a little-known fact drowsy drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers. While Americans have been taught the dangers of drunk driving since grade school, very little is mentioned about the perils of driving while fatigued. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that being awake for at least 18 hours is the same as having a blood alcohol content of 0.05%. Being awake for at least 24 hours is equal to having a blood alcohol content of 0.1%, which is higher than the legal limit.

Sleep deprivation can hurt your driving ability in the following ways:

• Slows down your reaction time: As you get more and more tired, the more time it takes for you to react to an emergency situation.
• Impaired judgment: Much like a drunk driver, a drowsy driver may not recognize the danger in the roadway until the last minute.
• Shorter temper: Lack of sleep can cause you to become more irritable, which can result in a road rage incident.
• Drifting: You may not be paying attention closely to the road as you would if you were more awake. This can cause your car to drift out of its lane.
• Loss of control: If the driver does fall asleep behind the wheel, the car can easily become a danger to anyone on the road.

What Are the Warning Signs of Driver Fatigue That I Should Look For?

While it is difficult to predict when you are going to fall asleep, the Washington, DC Department of Motor Vehicles highlights plenty of warning signs to look for before and during a long drive, including:

• • Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, and/or heavy eyelids
  • Difficulty keeping your eyes open, or your head up
  • Blurred vision
  • Yawning or rubbing your eyes repeatedly
  • Daydreaming and wandering thoughts
  • Drifting from your lane, swerving, missing an exit, tailgating, and/or hitting rumble strips
  • Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
  • Feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive
  • Turning up the radio or rolling down the window to help wake yourself up

If you notice any of these signs, the safest thing to do is to stop driving. Pull the car over and take a 15-20 minute nap in a safe place, such as a rest stop.

There are plenty of ways to avoid getting to this point and reduce driver fatigue before it becomes a problem. They include:

• • Get enough sleep, roughly seven to eight hours per night for adults. This is especially necessary before a long car trip.
  • If you are going on a long car drive, plan ahead to limit the number of hours driving.
  • Travel with someone and take frequent breaks at rest areas or travel plazas.
  • Avoid alcohol before driving, but drink plenty of caffeine.
  • Taking prescription medication? Check before driving to make sure fatigue is not a side effect of usage.
  • Avoid driving during peak sleepiness periods, which are midnight to 6 a.m.
  • If you suffer from a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Why Should I Choose a Regan Zambri Long Drowsy Driving Accident Attorney to Represent Me?

Our Washington DC-based personal injury law firm passionately advocates for their clients who have sustained injuries due to the negligence of others. Because Washington, DC doesn’t have explicit drowsy driving laws, the legal process following a car accident that involved driver fatigue can be complicated and difficult to prove. The evidence that needs to be gathered includes:

• Driving logs or work shift records showing the amount of time working without sleep
• Cell phone data
• School records
• Prescriptions or over-the-counter medications used in the hours prior to the drowsy driving accident
• Store, ATM, and gas receipts
• On-scene evidence, including lack of skid marks before the collision, indicating the driver did not attempt to brake and therefore was likely asleep at the wheel

The leading fatigued driving accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have the expertise and resources available to gather all the necessary evidence to see your case through to the very end. Whether your case ends in a settlement or verdict, we will work to secure the favorable outcome you need.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drowsy Driving Accidents in DC

What Type of Injuries are Commonly Sustained From a Drowsy Driving Accident in DC?

Unfortunately, getting into a drowsy driving accident can result in serious injuries, such as:

• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis and limiting future earning potential
• Concussions, which inhibit or alter your brain function
• Traumatic brain injuries, resulting in loss of speech, seizure disorders, coma, and other neurological problems
• Internal bleeding
• Soft tissue damage to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments
• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Chest injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can cause a variety of mental issues and distress and can leave the victim suffering from flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, and uncontrolled aggression
• Broken bones and bruising

Sometimes, drowsy driving accidents can result in fatal injuries. If you lost a loved one because a driver fell asleep behind the wheel, You have the right to file a wrongful death claim against that driver. Contact our auto accident lawyers today to find out what your legal options may be.

What is the Difference Between a Settlement and a Verdict in a Traffic Accident Case?

A settlement happens when the insurance company agrees to pay an agreed-upon amount owed to the injured car accident victim. This is the ideal situation, though it is not the standard. Many times, a settlement has to be reached through negotiation, which is when you’ll need an experienced DC car accident attorney by your side.

A verdict is reached through a lawsuit after the insurance company refuses to provide proper compensation. If a settlement cannot be reached, then the personal injury claim will be heading to court, where a jury will determine how much compensation is owed to the plaintiff. Regan Zambri Long car accident attorneys champion their clients in the courtroom and have secured millions in case verdicts for their clients.

What Are The Types of Damages I Can Collect From a Washington, DC Drowsy Driving Accident Lawsuit?

Damages that can be collected from a car accident lawsuit are split up into three different categories. The first is economic damages, which includes:

• Medical bills. This includes but is not limited to ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor visits, rehabilitation, medications, physical therapy, counseling services, and any future medical costs associated with the accident.
• Property damages. Property refers to any property that was lost or damaged in the accident. This includes car repairs and/or replacement and car rentals.
• Lost wages. Any loss of income or earning capacity due to your injuries from the drowsy driving accident can be compensated.

The second category in recovery damages are non-economic damages, which include:

• Physical pain caused by the impact of the accident
• Emotional distress caused by the psychological trauma of the accident
• Physical reparations like disfigurement, physical impairment and sexual dysfunction
• Social disparities or mental hardships including grief, depression, nervousness, and anxiety

And finally, the third category is punitive damages, which are damages secured because the other driver acted with:

• Simple negligence: A failure to use the degree of care which an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under the circumstances to avoid injury to another.
• Gross negligence: Utter disregard of prudence amounting to complete neglect of the safety of another. It must be such a degree of negligence as would shock fair minded men although something less than willful recklessness.
• Willful and wanton negligence: Acting consciously in disregard of another person’s rights or acting with reckless indifference to the consequences, with the defendant aware, from his knowledge of existing circumstances and conditions, and his conduct probably would cause injury to another.

It’s important to note that punitive damages are only awarded in rare cases.

What is DC’s Contributory Negligence Law and Will it Affect My Drowsy Driving Case?

“Contributory negligence” is a legal rule that prevents an injured person from seeking damages if they are found partially at fault for the accident that caused their injuries. If the plaintiff “contributes” to their own injuries by acting negligently, they may be barred from recovering compensation from the defendant. Washington DC, along with Virginia and Maryland, are three of the five jurisdictions that use contributory negligence instead of comparative negligence.

If you are unsure whether you may be found partially at fault or believe you have been wrongly accused of contributory negligence, contact a lawyer at Regan Zambri Long.

Who is More Likely to Drive Drowsy or Fall Asleep at the Wheel in Washington, DC?

According to the CDC, there are five types of drivers that are most likely to be a drowsy driver:

• Commercial drivers who operate vehicles such as buses, tow trucks, and tractor trailers
• Shift workers (who work night shift or long shifts)
• Drivers with untreated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
• Drivers who use medication that makes them sleepy
• Drivers who don’t get enough sleep

How Much Compensation Can I Expect to Receive for My Drowsy Driving Accident Case?

Every case is different, so it’s hard to predict how much compensation you should expect. The amount depends on the severity of the injuries and the need for extensive medical care. Regan Zambri Long works to ensure that their clients are paid the maximum amount of compensation.

Do Regan Zambri Long Lawyers Handle Catastrophic Injury Cases?

Yes. The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long work with medical experts in order to strengthen the claim and ensure a beneficial outcome for their client following a catastrophic injury caused by a car crash.

After a catastrophic event, there are many battles to overcome whether it’s grief, physical healing, or emotional distress. The claims process is one battle you don’t have to fight alone. Let Regan Zambri Long carry the weight of the legal processes, so you can give yourself time to rest and recover.

If you were in a car accident with a drowsy driver anywhere in the DC Metro area, we’re here to help. Contact our personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis so you do not owe us a fee until your case is successful.