We assume others will follow certain safe driving practices on the roadways: following the speed limit, obeying traffic signs, and not getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t consider the risks of drowsy driving.
Drowsy driving is considered as dangerous as drunk driving, yet each year, thousands will get behind the wheel while fatigued. If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident with a drowsy driver, Munley Law is here to help.
For over 60 years, the Scranton car accident lawyers at Munley Law have helped car accident victims and their families file car accident claims. Our law firm can provide a free, no-obligation consultation and guide you through the legal process. Call Munley Law now to speak with an experienced drowsy driving accident lawyer.
The Serious Dangers of Drowsy Driving
Research shows that being awake for 18 hours straight affects your driving ability the same way as having a blood alcohol content of 0.08% – which is legally drunk in Pennsylvania. After 24 hours without sleep, it’s like having a BAC of 0.10%, which means you’d face serious criminal charges if you were caught driving drunk.
When drivers are extremely tired, they can experience “microsleep,” brief periods lasting 1-4 seconds during which they essentially fall asleep with their eyes open. During a microsleep episode, a vehicle can travel over 300 feet at highway speeds.
Fatigue impairs judgment just like alcohol does. Drowsy drivers may make risky decisions they would never make when well-rested, such as trying to beat red lights or making unsafe lane changes. They also react much more slowly to hazards, traffic signals, and other vehicles. What should be a simple response to brake or steer becomes delayed, often making accidents unavoidable.
Fatigued drivers may even drift between lanes, vary their speed unexpectedly, or even cross into oncoming traffic without realizing it.
Who’s Most at Risk for Drowsy Driving in Scranton?
While anyone can become dangerously tired while driving, certain groups face higher risks and should be especially careful about getting behind the wheel when fatigued.
- Commercial Truck Drivers – Federal law strictly limits how many hours truck drivers can work, but some drivers or companies ignore these rules to meet tight delivery schedules. When truckers drive while exhausted, the results can be catastrophic.
- Shift Workers—People who work night shifts, rotating shifts, or long hours often struggle with irregular sleep schedules that increase their risk of drowsiness while driving.
- Medical Professionals – Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers often work long shifts and may drive home while dangerously tired.
- Young Drivers – Teen and young adult drivers are more likely to drive while tired and less experienced at recognizing when they’re too tired to drive safely.
- People with Sleep Disorders – Conditions like sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime sleepiness that makes driving dangerous, especially if the condition is untreated.
- Anyone Taking Certain Medications – Some prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and even allergy medicines can cause drowsiness that impairs driving ability.
How Our Scranton Car Accident Lawyers Prove Drowsy Driving
Since tired drivers rarely admit they fell asleep at the wheel, Munley Law uses various types of evidence to prove fatigue was a factor in your accident. We examine the driver’s work schedule to see if they were working long hours or night shifts or had been awake for extended periods before the accident. We also investigate whether the driver had sleep disorders, was taking medications that cause drowsiness, or had other medical conditions that increase fatigue risks.
Drowsy driving accidents often have specific characteristics, such as no skid marks (indicating the driver never braked), single-vehicle run-off-road crashes, or rear-ending stopped traffic at full speed. Munley Law will use accident reconstructionists to determine what caused the accident.
Other drivers may have observed the drowsy driver weaving between lanes, driving at inconsistent speeds, or showing other signs of fatigue before the crash.
Why Scranton Drowsy Driving Cases Are Complex
Unlike drunk driving cases, where police can measure blood alcohol content, proving drowsy driving requires building a case from multiple pieces of evidence. Insurance companies often dispute these claims because fatigue can be harder to prove than other forms of impairment.
There’s no equivalent to a breathalyzer for tiredness, so we must rely on circumstantial evidence to prove the driver was dangerously fatigued. Most drivers won’t admit they fell asleep or were too tired to drive safely, even when evidence strongly suggests fatigue was a factor.
Insurance companies may argue that mechanical problems, weather conditions, or other factors caused the accident rather than acknowledging driver fatigue.
Drowsy driving cases often involve several factors working together, such as long work hours plus medication effects, plus inadequate sleep, making the legal analysis more complex.
Why Choose Munley Law for Drowsy Driving Cases
Drowsy driving cases require attorneys who understand the complex factors that contribute to driver fatigue and know how to build strong cases from circumstantial evidence.
Experience with Complex Cases – We’ve successfully handled drowsy driving cases involving both regular drivers and commercial vehicle operators throughout Pennsylvania.
Investigation Resources – We work with sleep medicine experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals who can help prove driver fatigue and its role in causing your accident.
Knowledge of Federal Regulations – We understand the complex rules that govern commercial drivers and know how to identify violations that strengthen your case.
Proven Track Record – We’ve recovered significant compensation for drowsy driving accident victims and aren’t afraid to take cases to trial when insurance companies won’t offer fair settlements.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Evidence in drowsy driving cases can disappear quickly. Work schedules, medical records, and electronic data may be lost or destroyed if we don’t act promptly to preserve them.
Pennsylvania law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit, but the sooner you contact us, the better we can investigate your case and preserve necessary evidence.
If a drowsy driver in Scranton has injured you, you deserve compensation for your injuries and losses. These accidents are preventable, and tired drivers should be held accountable for their dangerous decisions.
Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and begin building the evidence needed to prove drowsy driving and recover the compensation you deserve.
