We have all done it at some point or another, gotten behind the wheel when we probably shouldn’t have. Driving when over tired can have serious repercussions. Whether you got behind the wheel exhausted, or, found yourself sleep while driving from one place to another; fatigued driving has the ability to cause an accident that can be detrimental. Have you found yourself the victim of a car accident that was the result of someone falling asleep at the wheel? Contact a lawyer for the assistance you need in retaining the compensation you deserve for the damages you have suffered. Here are key reasons driving while fatigued could be incredibly dangerous:

Reason #1 It Can Cause an Accident

Driving when you are tired can greatly increase the chances of an accident occurring. When a person gets behind the wheel when they are tired, it could result in a driver’s ability to have any awareness whatsoever of their surroundings.  

Reason #2 Your Ability to Respond May be Impaired

When you are tired, your inhibitions are often lowered as a result. This can have a serious impact on your ability to respond in a timely manner. Your judgement may be impacted. Should you be faced with a hazardous situation, or required to respond, avoid another vehicle, or stop quickly, you may not be able to do so. This could result in a fatigued driver losing control of their vehicle and colliding with another car as a result.

Reason #3 Before You Know It, You Could be Asleep

Should a driver find that they are tired behind the wheel, it’s common to believe that they will be able to recover and, wake up; allowing them to continue on to their final destination. However, this could be a serious mistake. As a result, you could find that you have drifted off to sleep when driving.

Never Drive When Tired

When you haven’t had enough rest, it’s important that you do not get behind the wheel when tired. Should you find yourself drifting off to sleep behind the wheel, it’s important that you pull over to regain your composure if you notice that:

  • You are having trouble keeping your eyes open
  • You are having difficulty focusing on the road
  • You are not able to pay attention to your surroundings
  • You are drifting into other lanes or you have drifted onto the rumble strip

Pulling over when tired is well worth it when considering the consequences a fatigued driver stands to face. Take the time to give yourself a break by stepping out of the vehicle or pulling over in a safe location to take a nap. The last thing you want is to put yourself or others at risk for your inability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Have you fallen victim at the hands of a driver who was driving when they shouldn’t have? You shouldn’t have to face the consequences of an accident that resulted due to the negligent actions of another driver. Contact an auto accident lawyer to schedule a complimentary consultation so that they may begin protecting your interests so that you may retain the compensation you may be entitled to.

Source: auto accident lawyer in Baltimore, MD, Cohen & Cohen, P.C.