Alabama motorists have a duty of care to drive safely and responsibly. Getting behind the wheel without adequate sleep is more than just careless—it’s dangerous. Drowsy driving could cause an accident and lead to damage to your car, bodily harm, or death.
If a fatigued driver injured you in a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your accident-related damages. Your accident claim could help you cover your medical bills and lost income. A Birmingham driver fatigue attorney from the Morris Bart law firm can help you start your case today.
How Fatigue Affects a Driver’s Faculties
When an exhausted driver gets onto the road, they risk falling asleep behind the wheel. Even if the driver manages to stay awake, fatigue affects the driver’s mental faculties. Lack of sleep can:
- Reduce hand-eye coordination
- Diminish a driver’s ability to focus on the road
- Delay a driver’s reaction to roadway hazards
- Inhibit a driver’s decision-making
According to the National Security Council, a fatigued driver is three times more likely to be in a traffic accident than a rested driver. Drowsy driving has been likened to drunk driving. Forgoing sleep for over 20 hours is the physical equivalent of having a 0.08% blood-alcohol concentration.
For a free legal consultation with a Driver Fatigue lawyer serving Birmingham, call (205) 380-4158
Who Is Most at Risk of Driver Fatigue?
Unfortunately, anyone can be guilty of driving while fatigued. Teenagers who tend to stay up late and get up early for school may drive when they are not at their best. Shift-workers who work at night and sleep during the day may not adjust well to their unconventional schedules. An undiagnosed sleep disorder may result in a traffic accident.
However, the group most at risk for driver fatigue may be commercial truck drivers. They spend the majority of their time behind the wheel and have strict delivery schedules to meet. Because these drivers tend to transport cargo in large semi-trucks, they carry a greater potential to cause destruction in a collision.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits truck driver service hours, but that does little to ensure these drivers receive adequate rest between shifts.
Birmingham Driver Fatigue Lawyer Near Me (205) 380-4158
Recovering Damages After a Driver Fatigue Accident
Car crash victims may experience several categories of financial loss after a drowsy driver causes an accident. Every traffic accident is different and what you may recover will depend on your particular circumstances.You may be able to receive compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing health care costs
- Lost wages
- Lost employment benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Car repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
Wrongful Death Caused by Drowsy Driving
Sadly, a car crash caused by driver fatigue can result in fatal injuries. If you lost a loved one in a fatal collision, our driver fatigue lawyers in Birmingham can help you file a wrongful death claim. Qualifying family members may be eligible to pursue funeral and burial costs.
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How a Birmingham Driver Fatigue Lawyer Can Assist You
A driver fatigue attorney in Birmingham may be able to support you as you seek damages after your accident. If we decide you have grounds for a case against a negligent party, we can help you file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurer. Alternatively, we may file your personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Your dedicated attorney from the Morris Bart law firm can:
- Investigate the cause of your car accident
- Identify the liable party
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Demonstrate the role driver fatigue played in your accident
- Establish the drowsy driver’s negligence
- Calculate the value of your case
- Pursue a payout to cover your losses
Most personal injury cases settle out of court. However, if we are unable to negotiate for a satisfactory settlement, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial.
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Work With a Birmingham Driver Fatigue Attorney
A driver fatigue lawyer in Birmingham from Morris Bart & Associates, LLC can review your case for free. Call us 24/7 to schedule your no-obligation consultation today. We’re available to you 365 days a year.
Questions?Call (205) 380-4158
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
