There are certain safe driving practices that we assume others will follow 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 for more information.
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Scranton Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer: Munley Law
Busy schedules, demanding work obligations, and over-extended social lives can lead to drivers getting behind the wheel while fatigued. While these drivers may not mean to cause harm, the reality is that getting behind the wheel while tired is similar to driving drunk.
Research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has found that being awake for 17 hours is like having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. After 24 hours of being awake, it is equivalent to a BAC of 0.10%.
In Pennsylvania, the legal BAC for non-commercial drivers is 0.08%. Commercial drivers cannot get behind the wheel with a BAC of 0.04%. When you consider the effects that drowsy driving has on drivers and compare it to driving while intoxicated, it is no surprise how dangerous these accidents can be.
Munley Law knows that driving while drowsy is dangerous and can be catastrophic to victims and their families. Though it can be challenging to prove drowsy driving, our Scranton car accident lawyers will review the facts of your case and help you get the compensation you need to move forward from a drowsy driving accident.
Impact Of Driving While Drowsy: Danger Of Fatigued Driving
Getting behind the wheel while tired may not seem like a big deal, but when you lose focus or fall asleep behind the wheel, the impact of driving while drowsy can be devastating.
Some of the most common impacts of drowsy driving include:
- Delayed reactions times
- Inability to maintain focus
- A temporary lapse in judgment
When this happens, accidents are likely to occur.
Scranton Fatigued Driving Accident Injuries
Drowsy driving can take on the form of different behaviors aside from falling asleep. Fatigued driving may include falling asleep, not paying attention to the road, having a slower reaction time, or making risky decisions such as swerving in and out of lanes.
Some of the most common injuries associated with a Scranton fatigued driving accident include:
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Broken Bones
- Internal Bleeding
In some cases, a drowsy driving accident may result in death. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a drowsy driving accident in Scranton, call the fatigued driving car accident lawyers of Munley Law.
Who Is At The Most Risk For Drowsy Driving?
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that while anyone can fall victim to drowsy driving, some groups are more likely to engage in these dangerous behaviors. At-risk groups for fatigued driving include:
- Males between the ages of 16 and 29.
- People who have untreated medical conditions such as sleep apnea or narcolepsy.
- Workers who have interrupted sleep because of swing shifts, night shifts, or irregular hours.
- Those who have consumed alcohol.
- People taking medications that may cause drowsiness.
What Percentage of Car Accidents Are Caused by Drowsy Driving?
As one of the most risky driving behaviors to engage in, drowsy driving accounts for a sizable number of car accidents each year.
The NHTSA has found that in one year, there were 100,000 reported crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,500 deaths involving a drowsy driver.
However, there are likely thousands more that go unreported each year.
Why You Need a Scranton Drowsy Driving Car Accident Lawyer
You never have to get a car accident lawyer to represent you in a personal injury claim, but there are benefits to doing so. If you or a loved one sustained injuries because of a Scranton drowsy driving car accident, Munley Law can help.
Scranton Drowsy Driving Car Accident Lawyer Helps Calculate Damages
Following a car accident, you may have accumulated some unexpected expenses. Car repairs, medical bills, and time away from work can hurt you financially.
Munley Law can help you determine the value of your Scranton drowsy driving car accident based upon:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
The severity of your injuries can often increase the value of your claim, which is why it is critical to seek medical attention following a car accident. To learn what your fatigued driving accident claim is worth, call Munley Law.
Determine If You Need a Personal Injury Lawsuit for Your Fatigued Driving Accident
Not all car accidents will result in a personal injury lawsuit. Some will be negotiated with the insurance companies. However, knowing if the settlement the insurance companies offer is adequate for your losses can be challenging.
At Munley Law, we will help you negotiate the compensation needed with the insurance companies. And, if the settlement isn’t enough, our lawyers can take your drowsy driving accident claim to court.
What To Do After a Scranton Fatigued Driving Collision
Following a Scranton car accident, there are specific steps you should take to preserve the integrity of your claim. The following actions can help you secure the compensation you need to move forward from a Scranton fatigue driving collision.
- Assess the situation. Though an accident is scary and stressful, take a moment to get your bearings straight. Are you and any passengers in a medical crisis?
- Move to a safe location. Move your car out of the roadway and onto the shoulder if it is driveable. If you cannot drive your vehicle but know you are not in a safe place, move away from danger by leaving the car if possible.
- Call 911. Once safe, you need to report the accident. This ensures the police will arrive to begin a police report and assess all involved parties for injuries.
- Check on the other driver. If you are not hurt, check on the other driver to ensure they are safe. If able, exchange information.
- Stay put. Do not leave the accident scene, even if it’s a minor wreck.
- Tell the responding officers what happened. It may be that the other driver came out of nowhere, or perhaps they were exhibiting reckless driving behaviors. No matter the case, tell the police exactly what happened.
- Gather evidence. If you can, take photos of the scene and any damage sustained, and document your injuries. The evidence you collected from the accident will be the most compelling when building your case.
- Get witness information. If there were witnesses, get their contact information or obtain surveillance video available.
- Get a copy of the police report. This serves as an official record of the incident and can be used as evidence.
- Do not give a statement to the other drivers’ insurance company. You can speak to an attorney before accepting a settlement or making official statements.
- Call Munley Law. A car accident may seem straightforward and not require a lawyer’s guidance to make a formal filing. However, even the most benign accidents can become complex. Munley Law can help you navigate the legal process following a Scranton drowsy driving accident.
Injured Drivers Need a Scranton Fatigued Driving Accident Lawyer
Proving a driver is drowsy can be difficult because there is no “test” as there would be for a drunk driving accident. However, a fatigue driving accident lawyer can help you establish negligence even if you cannot pinpoint that drowsiness was the cause of the accident.
Your Scranton car accident lawyer may be able to prove drowsy driving was the cause of the collision by reviewing how and when the accident occurred. The following factors are often associated with fatigued driving accidents:
- Rear-end collisions
- Lane changes that result in a wreck
- Head-on crashes
- High-speed accidents
- Crashes during the early morning hours or very late at night
If the type of accident or time of day is not enough to distinguish that the cause was drowsy driving, a car accident lawyer may also be able to determine it by the actions that led up to the crash, such as:
- Swerving in and out of lanes
- Not following the speed limit
- Driving in the wrong direction
- Getting too close to other cars
- Running traffic lights or stop signs
You likely do not need to prove that a drowsy driver caused the accident–proving negligence is likely enough to make a valid claim.
Why Munley Law is the Scranton Drowsy Driving Car Accident Law Firm
A car wreck with a drowsy driver can be disastrous for you and your family. The physical toll it has on you can leave you out of work and unable to afford medical bills. And if the crash totals your car, you may not be able to get back and forth.
Munley Law can help you navigate all of this. Our compassionate attorneys know that the aftermath of a Scranton car accident can be a lot to handle on your own. Though the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is two years to file a personal injury claim, the clock starts ticking on the date of the collision. This means that moving quickly will be imperative to your success.
Munley Law helps Scranton drowsy driving accident victims recover compensation for:
- Medical bills and expenses for current and future treatment
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial costs in the event of wrongful death
In the case of highly harmful behavior by the at-fault party, you may be entitled to punitive damages.
Injured In a Scranton Drowsy Driving Accident? Call Munley Law.
Munley Law is here for you if you or a loved one were injured in a drowsy driving accident in Scranton or the surrounding areas. For more than 60 years, the award-winning Martindale-Hubbell lawyers of the Scranton Munley law firm have helped personal injury victims get the compensation they need for their suffering.
For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact Munley Law. Our Scranton lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront for our legal representation. You only pay if we win a settlement or verdict on your behalf. You have nothing to lose. Scranton car accident and drowsy driving accident victims need Munley Law. Call now.
