Over 100,000 car accidents happen every year in the USA due to drowsy driving, according to conservative estimates. These result in more than 1,500 fatalities and 71,000 injuries, without accounting for collateral and third-party damage. This is despite the availability of technology designed to help drivers stay alert. If you become a victim of drowsy driving a car accident lawyer in Columbia, SC can help. In the meantime, it may be helpful to learn more about drowsy driving and how technology can prevent it.
What Are the Possible Reasons for Drowsy Driving?
Fatigue is the main cause of drowsy driving. Long hours of continuous driving may slow down your reflex actions and reduce coordination. Going without sleep for 21 hours causes symptoms similar to those of drivers with 0.08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC).
In a recent study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, certain people may be more prone to drowsy driving. They are:
- Those who work more than 60 hours per week
- Drivers under the age of 26
- People who consume sedative medicine
- People suffering from sleep disorders
- Drivers who sleep less than 6 hours of continuously
- Truck drivers engaged in long-haul services
Can Technology Help to Prevent Drowsy Driving?
Automobile companies have been testing many technologies. Some of them have developed a system to alert drivers when they seem to be losing focus. They operate based on cabin sensors and lane detectors. The data collected during the initial stage of driving acts as a baseline. The warning system is then able to identify unusual patterns of driving behavior. Once the system detects driving anomalies, it will immediately alert the driver with a display or message.
The mechanisms used to collect and process the data differ from company to company and even vehicle to vehicle. Similarly, the course of action after detecting a potentially drowsy driver also varies depending on the manufacturer and vehicle.
Recently, exciting technology was unveiled by Hyundai Mobis. It not only detects driving aberrations but takes control of the vehicle if required. The system shifts the car into auto drive mode and it can be pulled over for safe parking. The new system exhibited during the Departed Driver Rescue and Exit Maneuver (DDREM) at the Consumer Electronics Show.
It is a futuristic innovation which reduces the chances of an accident. If this technology becomes widespread, it can make a major dent in the incidence of drowsy driving.
As it stands, automakers have installed various safety systems in their vehicles. There are also third-party applications available for purchase. There is no doubt that technology can help to prevent drowsy driving. However, since it continues to happen, we’ll examine how you can get help if a drowsy driver crashes into you.
Can a Columbia Car Accident Attorney Help A Drowsy Driving Victim?
A victim of a drowsy driving accident has every legal right to get compensated for their injuries. However, they need to support their claim with evidence. Both eyewitness accounts and material evidence are essential to confirm the circumstances that led to the crash. If the incident happened in Columbia, then a car accident lawyer in Columbia, SC can take care of the case.
An experienced Columbia car accident attorney can look into every aspect of the accident. They may be able to prove how long the driver had been awake before driving the vehicle. If the driver had not slept enough as mandated in the South Carolina Driving Manual, this is significant. Proving it can really help your case.
The attorney will also seek to get the driver’s cellphone records, logbook entries, and vehicle data record. Even traffic camera recordings can be used to show the driver did not take adequate breaks. Establishing drowsy driving is very difficult. Your attorney may instead opt to simply prove the driver engage in negligent or reckless behavior.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, SC, Today
Insurance claims are not easy to handle. Sometimes you need a skilled negotiator on your side to get your claim approved. Other times, you only get results by going to court. In either case, the services of a car accident attorney are invaluable. If you have been in an accident with a driver you believe was drowsy, contact the Connell Law Firm. We will investigate the accident and work to get you justice. We won’t demand that you pay us up front. Simply schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your options.