When a person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are making a statement that they are in good health and capable of safely operating a vehicle. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the tangible impact that lack of sleep can have on a person’s ability to safely drive. The reality of the situation is that drowsy driving is a massive traffic safety issue, throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to speak with an attorney regarding your options.

How Dangerous is Drowsy Driving?

While we all can understand the inherent dangers of falling asleep at the wheel, driving while still conscious but sleep deprived is also incredibly dangerous. According to studies conducted by the National Safety Council, driving while drowsy impacts a person’s reaction time, attention span, and general awareness. The study also found that driving after twenty consecutive hours without sleep is the cognitive equivalent of driving with 0.08 blood alcohol content.

Considering the information mentioned above, it should come as no surprise that the number of collisions caused by drowsy driving is alarmingly high in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 100,000 drowsy driving accidents occur nationwide, each year. Over 70,000 Americans suffer injuries that require medical attention, due to the negligence of drowsy drivers, on an annual basis. Tragically, approximately 1,550 of those annual injuries result in fatalities.

According to the Illinois General Assembly, state law defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle with a willful disregard for the safety of others. The most common forms of reckless driving include driving at excessive speeds, following other vehicles too closely, disregarding traffic signs, and weaving through traffic. Unfortunately, many motor vehicle collisions are caused by the reckless actions of a driver. If you or a loved have been injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by a reckless driver, you are entitled to significant injury compensation.

Reckless Driving and Injuries

Whenever a driver chooses to operate their vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner, they are compromising the safety of other travelers. The following are some of the most common types of reckless driving:

• Speeding: In the United States, speeding is the deadliest form of reckless driving. Throughout 2018 alone, speeding drivers were responsible for the deaths of 9,378 people. In all, driving at excessive speeds is the primary cause of 26% of all annual traffic fatalities. Speeding can impact vehicular control and a driver’s ability to react, making it a seriously dangerous form of negligence.
• Tailgating: Following other vehicles too closely, or tailgating, is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions. In many cases, rear-end collisions can result in life-changing injuries to the spine, as well as significant brain trauma. Both spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries can impact a person’s motor skills and compromise their ability to work. While symptoms can be delayed, one should seek medical attention immediately after being injured in a rear-end collision.
• Weaving Through Traffic: Illegally passing other vehicles or recklessly weaving through traffic, is also a leading cause of injuries in the United States. Drivers that choose to pass other vehicles in an unsafe manner increase the likelihood of head-on collisions, which are the most dangerous form of motor vehicle collisions. If the other driver was weaving through traffic, witness testimony or surveillance footage can be critically important in your personal injury case.

Contact an Aurora Car Accident Attorney

Suffering an injury in a car accident can come with emotional trauma and significant expenses. At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Mazur P.C., our team is dedicated to helping your family receive personal injury compensation after a car accident. When another driver chooses to operate their vehicle recklessly, they are actively putting others in danger. Through investigative work and strong legal representation, we will do everything in our power to prove that the other driver’s negligence was the primary cause of the accident. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a skilled DuPage County personal injury attorney, call us today at 630-907-0909.

When a person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are making a statement that they are in good health and capable of safely operating a vehicle. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the tangible impact that lack of sleep can have on a person’s ability to safely drive. The reality of the situation is that drowsy driving is a massive traffic safety issue, throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to speak with an attorney regarding your options.

How Dangerous Is Drowsy Driving?

While we all can understand the inherent dangers of falling asleep at the wheel, driving while still conscious but sleep deprived is also incredibly dangerous. According to studies conducted by the National Safety Council, driving while drowsy impacts a person’s reaction time, attention span, and general awareness. The study also found that driving after twenty consecutive hours without sleep is the cognitive equivalent of driving with 0.08 blood alcohol content.

Considering the information mentioned above, it should come as no surprise that the number of collisions caused by drowsy driving is alarmingly high in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 100,000 drowsy driving accidents occur nationwide, each year. Over 70,000 Americans suffer injuries that require medical attention, due to the negligence of drowsy drivers, on an annual basis. Tragically, approximately 1,550 of those annual injuries result in fatalities.

According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 33,654 fatal car crashes occurred throughout the United States in 2018. While any and all car accidents can come with inherent dangers, some collisions are simply more dangerous than others. Head-on collisions are the most dangerous form of motor vehicle collision, due in large part to the proximity of the collision on the vehicle and the merging speeds of both vehicles. While head-on collisions only account for 2% of all annual motor vehicle collisions, they make up more than 10% of all traffic fatalities. Below we will explore some of the most common injuries that occur in head-on collisions, as well as some of the most common causes of these dangerous motor vehicle collisions.

Injuries in Head-On Collisions

As mentioned above, head-on collisions are notoriously dangerous. This is in large part due to the fact that both drivers and front-seat passengers collide instantly with the other vehicle. Unsurprisingly the injuries suffered in head-on collisions can be incredibly severe. The most common forms of injury range from brain trauma, spinal injuries, broken or fractured ribs, and various injuries to the limbs. If you or a loved one are injured in a head-on collision, it is critically important to document the full extent of all injuries suffered.

Why Do Head-on Collisions Occur?

Because head-on collisions generally only occur when one driver swerves into the other lane of traffic or is traveling the wrong direction down a one-way street, the vast majority of these collisions are caused by driver negligence. Distracted driving such as eating or texting while driving can cause a person to take their attention off of the road and veer into the other lane of traffic. Drinking and driving is also a common cause of head-on collisions due to the deterioration of the guilty party’s motor skills and vision. Additionally, if a driver is recklessly passing other vehicles, their reckless actions can lead to a head-on collision. In short, if you suffer injuries in a head-on collision, proving negligence can be fairly straightforward.

Throughout the United States, an average of 16 pedestrians are killed after being struck by a car, each and every day. According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), just under 6,000 pedestrians were fatally injured in car crashes, throughout 2017 alone. Due to the sheer size difference between a standard automobile and a pedestrian, pedestrians often suffer severe if not fatal injuries in these accidents. Perhaps it should come as no surprise, that pedestrian fatalities accounted for 16% of all traffic deaths throughout 2017. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, it is time to speak with a qualified legal professional.

Reacting to the Accident

After you or a family member has been struck by a motor vehicle, it is imperative to act in a timely fashion. First and foremost, ensure that all injured parties are safe and sound. If any person is significantly injured, seek out emergency medical attention immediately. It is also worth noting that brain and spinal injuries often display delayed symptoms, and you should seek medical attention if you are experiencing any head, neck, or spinal discomfort. Once all medical aspects of the collision have been taken care of, it is time to contact the police. Police presence can be an incentive for the driver to remain on scene and answer any questions regarding their insurance or the incidents that lead to the accident honestly. When proving negligence in a personal injury case, a police report can also be critical throughout the legal process.

Once medical personnel (if needed) and law enforcement officials have been contacted, it is time for you to document everything you can from the crash. Taking photos of skid marks, debris from the collision and damage to the vehicle involved can be key to the case. If the driver is still present, take pictures of the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the license plate number. If the driver ultimately does flee from the scene this information will be invaluable to law enforcement. If any witnesses are present, speak to them about the events that lead up to the accident, and take document their contact information. Witness testimony can be imperative in proving a driver was acting in a negligent manner such as speeding, disregarding traffic signs, or texting while driving. Lastly, speak with the driver and get their insurance information. Making the assumption that the driver will contact their insurance company on their own, can be a mistake.