Insomnia and Fatal Car Accidents

There have been studies about the lethal connection between insomnia and fatal car accidents.  Many Texans are behind the wheel when they are too sleep deprived to be safe and alert drivers.  There are drivers with undiagnosed and untreated sleep related issues. The experts strongly encourage everyone who may have a sleep issue, such as sleep apnea, to get tested and seek treatment to save lives.

Tired Drivers are Dangerous Drivers

A recent study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and The Sleep Research Society found that drivers with the following insomnia symptoms were considered high risk for their potential involvement in a serious car accident:

•       Trouble going to sleep at night
•       Inability to sleep soundly and wake refreshed
•       Difficulty sleeping through the night

The researchers analyzed the responses from study participants and came to some startling conclusions. They found out that drivers who have a hard time falling asleep at night are at a much higher risk of a fatal car accident than people who fall asleep easily. Even more concerning is that participants who have all three signs of insomnia had fatal accidents nearly three times more often than individuals with no insomnia symptoms.

Drowsy Driving Causes Auto Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has identified Drowsy Driving as the cause of over 1,000 motor vehicle accidents each year. Exhaustion leads to drivers’ delayed reaction times.  They aren’t able to stay alert and focused on what is happening around them.

Drivers with insomnia have much more fatal car accidents than drivers who are well rested. According to research by the National Institutes of Health. In fact, 4.1 percent of the people surveyed admitted that exhaustion led to their car accident, and a scary 9 percent of the respondents admitted they have fallen asleep behind the wheel.

To save lives and keep the roads safe, experts encourage drivers to stop at the first sign of drowsiness.

Contact a Skilled Auto Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact an attorney today.  Mynor E. Rodriguez is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.  Contact him today.