Unrivaled Reputation And Experience In Personal Injury Law

Car crash risk goes up after daylight saving time

On Behalf of | Mar 12, 2019 | Auto Accidents |

Drivers in Colorado should be aware that their risk for getting into a car accident can go up after they “spring forward” for daylight saving time. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Everyone advises that drivers should sleep at least seven hours each night, and losing one or two hours of sleep can actually double one’s chances of getting into a crash.

AAA also reports that individuals who sleep for only five hours in a 24-hour period will experience the same level of impairment behind the wheel as someone who exceeds the legal limit for alcohol. Yet drowsy driving continues to be a major issue. A AAA survey reveals that 3 in 10 respondents admitted that there was at least one time in the past month when they drove while so tired that they had trouble keeping their eyes open.

The first step is for drivers to adjust their sleep schedules so that they do not lose any crucial amount of sleep after daylight saving time. Drivers should not rely on short-term tactics like drinking caffeinated beverages, singing or rolling down the window.

Warning signs of drowsiness include drooping eyelids, continual yawning, drifting in and out of one’s lane and trouble remembering the last few miles traveled. Drivers should consider pulling over for a nap when these signs manifest themselves.

Drowsy driving is just one of many forms of driver negligence, but it is one of the hardest to prove. While there is clear proof of this behavior, individuals who sustain a personal injury at the hands of a drowsy driver may be able to file a personal injury claim and be covered for their medical bills, pain and suffering and other losses. This is where a lawyer and his or her team of investigators may come in handy.

Member of The National Trial Lawyers | Top 100 Trial Lawyers
The National Trail Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
10 Best 2016 | Client Satisfaction | American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
Best Lawyers Best Law Firms | U.S. News & World Report 2018
Rated By Super lawyers Thomas J. Tomazin 5 Years
Rated By Super lawyers Thomas J. Tomazin Selected in 2024
Rated By Super Lawyers | Haley M. Rank | Selected In 2024 Thomson Reuters
Rated By Super lawyers Rising Stars Haley M. Rank SupersLawyers.com
FindLaw Network