If a driver chooses to operate a motor vehicle while tired, drowsy, sleep-deprived or fatigued, he or she has made a dangerous mistake that can lead to a catastrophic car accident. If you get hurt by a drowsy driver in San Francisco, consult with a local San Francisco car accident lawyer as soon as possible about your potential legal options. You deserve to seek justice for serious injuries.
What Is Drowsy Driving?
Drowsy driving means to be in control of a car, truck, SUV, van, bus or another motor vehicle while dangerously tired. If a driver is too sleepy to remain fully alert and in proper control of the motor vehicle, he or she is too drowsy to drive.
Factors that increase the odds of drowsy driving include lack of sleep, overnight drives, shift work, long-haul truck driving, unusual sleep schedules, certain medications and conditions such as sleep apnea.
Drowsy Driving Accident Statistics
According to the National Sleep Foundation, drowsy driving is comparable to drunk driving in terms of how greatly it interferes with the driver’s ability to control a motor vehicle. Drowsiness can negatively impact focus, attention, reaction times, reflexes, decision-making, coordination and muscle strength.
Drowsy driving took at least 644 lives in 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The peak times for drowsy driving accident risks in San Francisco are between midnight and 6:00 AM, as well as the late afternoon. Drowsy driving accidents can happen on city streets, rural roads and freeways.
Injured in an accident Caused By a Drowsy Driver?
Jacoby & Meyers Is Here To Help You Pursue Justice
Injuries From Drowsy Driving Accidents
Drowsy driving is such a dangerous driver behavior because the driver may not touch the brakes at all prior to impact. This increases the speed and severity of these collisions.
Common injuries include:
- Head trauma and brain injuries
- Back, neck and spine injuries
- Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Cuts, lacerations and scarring
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
Accidents caused by driver fatigue can inflict severe, catastrophic and even fatal injuries, especially when the accident involves a drowsy truck driver in San Francisco. If you lost a loved one in a crash, our trusted team of wrongful death attorneys in San Francisco can guide you through the process of filing a wrongful death claim.
What to Do if You Are Injured By a Drowsy Driver in San Francisco
If you get involved in a San Francisco accident and believe that the other driver fell asleep behind the wheel or was driving while tired, take the following steps to build a strong legal claim:
- Get medical care without delay.
- Call 911 immediately to report the accident.
- When the police arrive, explain why you suspect drowsy driving.
- Don’t admit fault or apologize for the accident.
- Take pictures of the crash scene.
- Look for cameras that may have recorded the moments leading up to the crash.
- If there are any witnesses, write down their names and phone numbers.
- Notify your own car insurance company of the crash.
- File a claim with the drowsy driver’s insurer as soon as possible.
- Contact an attorney before accepting an insurance settlement.
The car insurance company that takes your claim will not want to help you recover full compensation. A personal injury lawyer in San Francisco, on the other hand, will be on your side.
Why You Should Contact a Drowsy Driving Accident Attorney
Drowsy driving accident cases can be difficult to prove, especially if the at-fault driver passes away. A lawyer can help you gather critical evidence, such as the driver’s cell phone records, medical history, work or driving schedule, employment records, and accident reconstruction analyses that show the absence of braking or a drift pattern.
To get immediate help with a drowsy driving accident case in San Francisco, contact Jacoby & Meyers at (415) 855-4289. Our initial consultations are always free.