Motorists throughout Pennsylvania and the rest of the U.S. are at risk of being injured in accidents caused by drowsy drivers. A new report shows that almost 83.6 million people drive while they are drowsy every day. In 2015, almost 5,000 people were killed in accidents involving drowsy drivers.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, it is difficult to determine exactly how extensive the problem is. This is partially due to law enforcement officers not being trained to recognize drowsy driving. In addition, many at-fault motorists will not report drowsiness out of fear that they might face penalties.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the costs of drowsy driving, not counting property losses, is around $109 billion each year. People who have the highest risk of driving while they are tired include 40 million Americans who have sleep disorders, teenagers, young adults and those who work night shifts. The GHSA recommends improvements in workplace policies, increased public awareness and better driving programs for teenagers.
When drowsy drivers cause car accidents, the injured victims may be able to file personal injury lawsuits. Doing so might help the injured plaintiffs to recover damages so that they can be compensated for the losses they have suffered because of the accident. A personal injury attorney might help by investigating the client’s case and collecting evidence to prove the liability of the drowsy driver. If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, the lawyer may advocate for the client by litigating the matter in court.