Carbondale, PA Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer

We know that driving recklessly is not only dangerous but illegal. However, many drivers don’t consider the risks of getting behind the wheel while tired. Each year, thousands of people get into car accidents with drowsy drivers, leading to severe and sometimes fatal injuries. If you suspect your car accident resulted from fatigued or drowsy driving, call Munley Law. Our Carbondale drowsy driving accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process to ensure you get the compensation you need for your injuries.

Drowsy driving accidents are complex as it can be challenging to prove fatigued driving. Still, with our decades of experience, the Munley Law car accident lawyers will quickly lead you through the claims process.

How Serious Are Drowsy Driving Car Accidents?

Drowsy driving occurs when a person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle while tired. Sometimes, this is due to needing more sleep or coming off shift work where the person may not have a standard sleeping schedule. For others, it may be due to a health problem like sleep apnea from prescription drug use or alcohol consumption.

In a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 25 drivers aged 18 years or older reported falling asleep while driving in the last 30 days, making this a problem that is all too common for drivers.

Just like driving drunk in Carbondale, PA, there are dangers to driving while drowsy. Some of the most common ways fatigued driving impairs a person include:

• Less likely to pay attention to the road
• Slower reaction time
• Decreased decision-making ability

The Sleep Foundation reports that driving drowsy is similar to drunk driving. After going 18 hours without sleep, the effects are similar to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05 percent. Further, if a driver goes 20 hours of being awake, it creates an impaired level similar to having a BAC of 0.08 percent–which is the legal limit. After 24 hours of no sleep, it would be comparable to having a BAC of 0.1 percent.

While drunk driving and fatigued driving are not the same, they hold similar levels of danger. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident with a drowsy driver, Munley Law can help.

Who is Likely to Drive Drowsy in Carbondale, PA?

Many factors make a person more likely to drive drowsy and get involved in a car accident. This includes:

• Young drivers
• People on the roads between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the late afternoon
• People who do not get enough sleep
• Commercial truck drivers
• Shift workers, especially night shift or those working longer shifts of 12-plus hours
• People with untreated sleep disorders
• People on medication that may cause drowsiness
• People who have consumed alcohol

Just because a person may fall into one of these categories does not mean it’s what caused the car accident. However, there are signs that a driver is tired, including frequent blinking and yawning, poor recall, drifting between lanes, driving over rumble strips, tailgating, missing signs, or behaving aggressively.

If you see a driver engaging in those actions, steer clear of them on the roadways and call for help.

What Are Common Drowsy Driving Accidents?

A drowsy driving car accident may result in several types of collisions. However, when determining if fatigued driving was the cause of a Carbondale car accident, the insurance company and your car accident lawyer will consider the type of collision that occurred. Some of the most commonly associated car accidents with drowsy driving are:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Accidents that happen in the early morning hours or late evening
• Crashes that occurred during a lane change
• Crashes that occurred at a high speed

Drowsy driving can cause any collision, so be sure to meet with a car accident lawyer to discuss the facts of your case.

What Are Common Injuries Caused By Carbondale Drowsy Driving Accidents?

It is estimated that more than 300,000 drowsy driving accidents happen each year, with over 100,000 of them resulting in injury and more than 6,000 resulting in fatality.

Some of the most commonly reported injuries in drowsy driving car accident claims include:

• Neck and Back Injuries
• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Broken Bones
• Internal Bleeding
• Death

If a tired driver in Carbondale injured you, Munley Law can help you recover losses for current medical expenses, future medical care, and more. But do not delay in seeking medical treatment as you run the risk of serious injury.

How to File a Drowsy Driving Car Accident Claim

To file a Carbondale, PA, drowsy driving car accident claim, you must first report the accident to your insurance company. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, meaning you utilize your auto insurance and do not seek compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.

You will begin the claims process once your insurance provider has been notified. However, you need to check with your policy to see what time limitations exist, as waiting too long could minimize the compensation you receive.

Though never required, working with a car accident lawyer for your insurance claim can be beneficial. The adjusters will seek any reason to minimize their compensation, even if you were not wrong. Further, if you did share in some of the fault, they will try to reduce your compensation as much as possible. Working with a car accident lawyer in Carbondale will help you negotiate with the insurance companies so you are not taken advantage of.

Sometimes, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages if your injuries exceed your policy limits for compensation. Pennsylvania laws place time limitations on filing a case at two years from the date of injury.

Failure to file within the statute of limitations will bar you from compensation.

If you were involved in a severe car accident with a fatigued driver, call Munley Law to learn your options for financial recovery.

Comparative Negligence For Carbondale Motor Vehicle Accidents

Pennsylvania follows the modified comparative negligence rule. The rule states that you are not barred from financial recovery if you are less than 51 percent at fault. But if you are 51 percent at fault, you cannot pursue compensation for your damages.

Under the law, the amount of compensation you are entitled to is also adjusted by the percentage of fault you carry. So, if you are found 20 percent at fault for a drowsy driving accident, your compensation will be adjusted by 20 percent.

Car accident victims must be mindful of the comparative negligence rule, as any room the insurance company or at-fault party can find to minimize their obligation to you will be enacted.

By working with experienced car accident lawyers, you can rest assured knowing your claim will be handled to minimize the percentage of fault you hold so you can collect the necessary compensation.

How A Carbondale Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With a Drowsy Driving Claim

No matter the type of car crash you were in, being in a motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming. Personal injury lawyers can help.

With a Carbondale, PA, drowsy driving accident lawyer, we can help you get maximum compensation for your car wreck so you can move forward from the accident.

Learn how legal representation from Munley Law can help you in the drowsy driving accident claims process.

Gather Evidence

The first thing we can do for you is to gather the necessary evidence to build a claim. Valuable evidence for a drowsy driving case includes proof of related medical bills. Any medical treatment you received related to the accident will increase the value of your claim and any future medical treatment you may need.

Pay stubs can also show lost wages, which you should be reimbursed for. Any property damage documentation, such as a mechanic’s report for your vehicle, will be helpful.

Lastly, the police report will hold valuable evidence for your claim, including the contact of witnesses when the accident occurred and what the police suspect happened.

If you have any evidence from the accident, such as photographs or witness testimony, it can also be useful in establishing an insurance claim or preparing a lawsuit.

Calculate Damages

Much of the same information that will be used as evidence will also help calculate the value of your damages. Keep the following:

• Medical records
• Lost wages
• Property damage

In some cases, you may have sustained extensive mental health struggles following the wreck, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering in these cases.

Handle Negotiations

If you suffered catastrophic injuries, the last thing on your mind is being in contact with the insurance companies to get compensation. With legal representation from Munley Law, you don’t have to handle this alone. Our lawyers will take care of the other party, including the negotiations with the insurance company so that you can focus on recovery.

Represent You in Court

Most car accidents are settled outside of court. Still, if your tired driving case does make it to trial, our Carbondale car accident attorneys will be by your side every step to ensure the other driver is held accountable.

Carbondale Car Accident Victims Need Munley Law For Their Drowsy Driving Claims

If you or a loved one were injured in a Carbondale drowsy driving auto accident, Munley Law is prepared to handle your case. With more than 60 years of personal injury law experience, our car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you need for your serious injury, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disability

Injured? Call Munley Law for a free consultation.

If you need a car accident lawyer in Carbondale or anywhere in Lackawanna County, call Munley Law for a no-obligation, free case evaluation. Our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to you, and we only get paid if you secure compensation via a settlement or verdict.

Hold the negligent driver accountable and call us today.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

41 N. Main St.,
Carbondale, PA 18407
(570)280-2502