Drowsy Driving Accidents

Drowsy driving is a form of dangerous driving behavior that has garnered a lot of attention over the past few years. While drivers may shake off this feeling as being, “Just a little tired,” it is much more than that. In fact, some experts have likened drowsy driving to drunk driving because the impact and results are just as damaging. If you have been the victim of a drowsy driving accident in San Francisco and have sustained injuries, it is important that you know you may be entitled to compensation. A San Francisco drowsy driving car accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Unfortunately, there are no laws pertaining to drowsy driving on the books in San Francisco. It is simply too hard to tell when one person is drowsy and another is not. While one person may require seven hours of sleep every night to function properly, another may require nine.

There is also the fact that there are no tests to detect drowsy driving. In California, there are breath tests, blood tests, and other tests to determine if someone is drunk or high while driving. The same is just not true for drowsy driving.

The fact that there are no laws pertaining to drowsy driving in San Francisco does not mean those who drive while tired cannot be held liable for their actions. Instead, those hurt will need to focus on the actions that caused the accident, and not the condition of the driver.

For example, a drowsy driver may start to veer out of his or her lane. If there is a vehicle in the next lane, the drowsy driver will likely crash into it, causing an accident. In this case, it is impossible to tell if the driver was tired. It is very easy to recognize, on the other hand, that veering out of a lane with a vehicle at the side is not reasonable driving behavior. It is negligence. Your drowsy driving car accident attorney in San Francisco can help you prove this.

Negligence is the legal concept upon which personal injury cases, including those involving a drowsy driver, rest. When accident victims can show negligence, they can hold other drivers liable for a crash, and this includes accidents caused by drowsy driving.

It can seem impossible to avoid drowsy drivers on the road. However, it is not. Drowsy driving in San Francisco is often compared to drunk driving because drivers often behave the same in these situations. Drowsy driving causes reaction time to slow and takes a driver’s concentration off the road. A drowsy driver may even slur their words or stagger.

Spotting the signs of a drowsy driver is similar to watching for drunk drivers. Motorists should always watch for drivers who are not behaving in a reasonable manner, such as pulling off to the side of the road unexpectedly, running red lights, and crossing into other lanes of traffic. Regardless of whether these are drunk or drowsy drivers in San Francisco, all motorists should give them space and proceed with caution when around them.

If you were hurt in a drowsy driving accident in San Francisco, it is important that you speak to an attorney today. At the Brod Law Firm, we understand the challenges of proving a driver was drowsy at the time of the accident. We also know how to overcome those hurdles so you can claim the full amount of compensation you deserve. If you have been injured, call a drowsy driving car accident attorney in San Francisco today at (800) 427-7020 for your free case evaluation.