Author: Anthony Proffitt

While you may try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, you could be one of the many Americans who fail to wake up each morning fully rested. When you hop behind the wheel of your vehicle, you may not think twice about being too tired to drive. The truth is, drowsy driving is a serious problem in Tennessee and across the country. Although obtaining an accurate number of how many car accidents, injuries and deaths involve drowsy drivers is nearly impossible, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that at least 846 people were killed in 2014 as a result of drowsy motorists.

According to the NHTSA, there are certain groups of people who are at greater risk of causing a drowsy driving accident. These include the following:

•          Intoxicated drivers
•          Motorists who are taking prescription or recreational drugs
•          People suffering from sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, insomnia and sleep apnea
•          People who work overnight or work other irregular hours

Researchers are developing and testing new technology that could help warn drivers if they are falling asleep and alert them to wake up. This technology was tested on truckers who were asked to drive tractor trailers equipped with the warning system. The system detected when truckers’ eyes closed beyond a certain point using near-infrared technology, and then sounded an alarm to rouse them. The study showed that the driving system had a positive impact on the safety of truck drivers, and that truckers who used the technology were able to drive more coherently. 

People who have been involved in serious auto accidents in Knoxville and across the state know that these collisions can cause significant physical and emotional injuries. The number of people who are killed and injured in catastrophic motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. continues to climb, according to an article published in Newsweek.

Approximately 4.4 million people across the nation were injured in car accidents and an estimated 38,300 people died from these collisions in 2015, according to the National Safety Council. Researchers from the NSC analyzed auto-injury and fatality data collected throughout the years and compared it to car accident injuries and deaths recorded in 2015. These statistics show a substantial increase from prior years.

More than half of those injuries were labeled as serious, meaning that they required medical attention. After comparing a period of six months from 2014 to the same period in 2015, researchers found that the rate of serious injuries increased by 30 percent.

Some people correlate this rise in injuries and deaths to an increase in the number of people driving to and from work. The healthier economy, and lower gas prices in 2015, also means that people may have more money to spend on traveling long distances for vacation. With more people on the road, the risk of catastrophic car accidents grows as well. Distraction.gov also indicates that more people are using their cellphones while driving, which can also increase the likelihood of being involved in a deadly collision. In 2014, 431,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents alone. 

Whether you have been involved in a minor fender bender or a serious car accident, the moments following the collision can be stressful and overwhelming. You may have received extensive damage to your vehicle or could suffer from injuries as a result of another person’s negligent behavior. It is crucial that you take the right steps to ensure that you will be fairly compensated for your injuries, property damage and emotional trauma that often stems from a catastrophic accident.

According to State Farm, you should first make sure that everyone is safe and out of harm’s way. In some cases, you may need to move the vehicles involved in the accident out of traffic. However, this may not always be an option. Accident victims should call law enforcement as soon as possible and let them know if anyone was injured in the accident.

It is important to document the accident scene. If possible, take pictures with your cellphone and write down a full account of what happened. Be sure to get the names, contact information, licenses and insurance information from everyone involved in the accident. You may even be able to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision. When speaking with law enforcement officers and insurance agents, only state the facts of what occurred. Since the aftermath of an accident can be extremely chaotic, you don’t want to inadvertently add details to the story that may complicate matters in the future.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice. 

While some people may feel as though they are able to drive while drowsy or fatigued, many do not know the potential consequences of their actions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 800 people were killed and 44,000 people were injured in car accidents involving drowsy drivers in 2013. Furthermore, fatigued drivers in Tennessee and across the country caused at least 72,000 auto collisions that same year. These numbers reflect only reported accidents, however, and do not account for the significant number of collisions that go unreported every year.

At least 70 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleeping disorders, putting them at a potential risk for falling asleep behind the wheel, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who take certain prescription medications that cause drowsiness are also in danger, and should avoid driving. When drowsy motorists engage in distractive behaviors, such as using a cellphone while driving or are intoxicated while behind the wheel, the risk of an accident increases significantly. All drivers should make sure to get plenty of rest before heading out on the road, especially teenage motorists, as they require more sleep.

Not only are drowsy drivers less likely to respond to critical hazards, such as pedestrian crossings, traffic signals or bad weather conditions, but they are unable to react to other drivers’ behavior. If for some reason, a driver must brake suddenly or switch lanes to avoid an object in the road, he or she may be unable to do so if fatigued.