Fayetteville, AR Drowsy Driving Car Accident Lawyer
Drowsy driving endangers the lives of a motorist and any other party that has to share the road with them. When a drowsy person is behind the wheel of a vehicle, they can be highly unpredictable, which can lead to a serious accident with other people. If you or a family member was injured due to a drowsy driver, you should consult with an experienced Fayetteville drowsy driving car accident lawyer.
Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, is committed to fighting for victims of car accidents that must live with severe injuries and many other issues due to the negligence of another. Our firm understands how a serious injury can change a person’s life, and we are here for you in your time of need. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Ken Kieklak at (479) 316-0438, or contact us online.
Hazards of Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving occurs more than you might believe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) performed a study that showed that about 1 in 25 drivers over the age of 18 has fallen asleep at least once while driving in a 30-day span. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving accounts for roughly 70,000 car accidents in 2013. In recent years, the number of reported drowsy driving accidents rose from 70,000 accidents to about 91,000 accidents, with about 50,000 reported injuries a year.
Between the years of 2013 to 2017, there were an estimated 4,111 people that have been killed due to a drowsy driving incident.
Aside from sleep deprivation, a drowsy driving accident can occur for a number of reasons. For example, if a person is caring for a newborn, they are likely dealing with a new sleep schedule because of the unpredictable sleeping patterns of their child. Other issues that could cause a driver to experience drowsiness while driving include:
- Working night shifts or excessively long shifts (e.g., truck drivers or hospital workers)
- Undiagnosed sleeping disorders
- Driving for several hours
- Staying out late in the night
- Taking medications that cause drowsiness
This is not an exhaustive list. It is important to note that if a drowsy driver causes an accident because they took medication, this may also be treated as an incident of driving under the influence.
Driving while drowsy can affect a person’s driving in a variety of ways. For example, a driver could fall asleep while the vehicle is in motion or fail to react to another motorist braking due to being tired. If you observe another driver drifting from their lane or acting erratically, this can be an indicator that they are driving drowsy.
The injuries caused as a result of drowsy driving can depend on the circumstances of the accident. For example, if a drowsy driver fell asleep while traveling at a high rate of speed, there is an increased chance of their victim suffering a long-term or life-threatening injury.
To learn more about filing a lawsuit for a car accident, continue reading and speak with an experienced Fayetteville drowsy driving accident injury lawyer today.
When to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit for a Drowsy Driving Accident in Fayetteville, AR
If a drowsy driving accident caused you to suffer a serious injury, incur expensive medical bills, and lose a significant amount of time at work, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. When a victim elects to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party that injured them, they should be aware that personal injury lawsuits must adhere to the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations determines the timeframe a plaintiff has to file their case against a defendant. In Arkansas, personal injury lawsuits have a filing deadline of three years from the date of the injury. This means from the day the accident occurred; you have a three-year timeframe to file your case.
If a plaintiff does not file their lawsuit within this three-year deadline, they risk the court barring their claim. If the court bars a claim, it means the plaintiff will be unable to have their case heard by a court of law. As a result, a plaintiff may not be able to seek compensation for their injuries aside from compensation provided by their car insurance company or the company representing the negligent driver.
While three years is a lengthy amount of time, do not wait too long to file your case. You want to ensure that evidence will not be lost or destroyed and that your witnesses will have a clear memory of how the event occurred.
Our Skilled Fayetteville Drowsy Driving Car Accident Attorney is Ready to Fight for You
If you were a victim of a car accident due to a drowsy driver, you should contact an experienced Fayetteville drowsy driving car accident attorney today. Injury lawyer Ken Kieklak has over two decades of legal experience litigating a number of car accident lawsuits, and he would be pleased to work with you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact Ken Kieklak at (479) 316-0438.