If you’re a New Jersey driver, you might already be aware that there are over 250,000 car collisions in our state per year. It’s no surprise that many drivers in our state wonder about the different ways that they can prevent and avoid auto accidents. What many drivers don’t know is that many car accidents in this country are caused by drowsy driving, which could negatively impact someone’s ability to drive. For more information, continue reading this blog or reach out to one of our New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers today for individualized legal counseling.
HOW COMMON ARE CAR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DROWSY DRIVING?
Drowsy driving accidents might be more common in our state than you might think. According to police reports, there are around 100,000 fatigued driving crashes every year. However, other reports have determined that the true number might actually be much higher because oftentimes it’s hard to tell if drowsy driving was the cause of an accident. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that the actual number is over 300,000 drowsy driving crashes per year.
HOW CAN DROWSINESS AFFECT SOMEONE’S DRIVING ABILITY?
There are many different ways that fatigue could potentially impact a driver’s ability. Statistics show that:
- Driving after going more than 20 hours without sleep is the equivalent of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%
- Drivers who are fatigued are three times more likely to crash than alert drivers
- The drowsier that a driver is, the worse their reaction times, awareness of hazards, and ability to sustain attention becomes
It’s always safest to drive when completely alert and sober. If you are ever feeling sleepy one day, try to avoid getting behind the wheel of a vehicle until you feel more awake.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN AUTO CRASH IN NEW JERSEY?
New Jersey is a no-fault state when it comes to auto collisions. This means that your own auto insurance will be responsible for your damages no matter who caused the accident. After any crash, law enforcement will likely be called to file an official report of the incident. Police officers at the scene should interview witnesses and any involved drivers and passengers. In their report, officers will most likely cite the cause of the accident. You may be eligible to file a personal injury claim if your accident was caused by another driver’s negligent actions.
Have you recently been injured in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver? If so, you should speak with a talented personal injury attorney who has your best interests in mind. Thankfully, our highly experienced law firm is on your side! Contact Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC today for an initial consultation.
