Waking up to the dangers of falling asleep behind the wheel

Ohio readers likely know that certain behaviors, such as distracted driving and speeding, can lead to an increased chance of a car accident. People are aware of the danger of negligent or reckless driving, but many fail to recognize the potential danger that comes from getting behind the wheel of a car while drowsy.Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as distracted driving in some respects. While most people have operated a motor vehicle while a little sleepy, there is a difference between being tired and being dangerously exhausted. Tired drivers can cause serious accidents, and in some cases, it may be possible to hold these parties accountable by filing a civil claim.What’s so bad about being a little tired?According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowsy driving is a major problem on American roads and highways. Drowsy driving happens when a driver gets behind the wheel while too tired to safely operate it, and drugs or alcohol can increase the effect of exhaustion that a person may feel. Tired and fatigued driving is dangerous for many reasons, including the following:

• Exhaustion can slow a driver’s reaction time to a perceived danger in the road.
• Being too tired to drive safely can make a person less able to think clearly and make good decisions.
• Fatigue diminishes a driver’s attention levels and the ability to focus.

In some cases, a driver is tired enough to actually fall asleep behind the wheel, which can lead to serious accidents. Whether or not a person is tired because of an unusual work schedule, medication, a medical condition or other reason, every person is responsible for knowing when he or she is unable to safely operate a vehicle.Driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving while drunk or distracted. Victims of this type of negligent behavior have the right to seek compensation for damages and financial losses.Your course of action as an accident victimAs the victim of a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed by your options and unsure of what you should do next. It can be useful to start with a complete evaluation of your case in order to understand if you could have grounds to move forward with a personal injury claim.Drowsy driving is a dangerous problem, and victims of this type of negligent behavior or any other type of reckless behavior exhibited by another driver have the right to speak up and take action.