Drowsy Driving Accidents in Buffalo, New York
Americans everywhere are sleep-deprived, and research suggests it’s getting worse. A Gallup survey from 2023 found that only about 40% of people say they get enough sleep, down from 56% a decade ago. And only about 25% report getting the eight hours of sleep recommended by healthcare professionals.
Unfortunately, many people still operate motor vehicles despite the risks their lack of sleep can create for themselves and others. According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, “fatigued or drowsy driving” or “driver fell asleep” were cited as factors in more than 5,100 accidents across New York in 2023.
Drowsy driving can happen anywhere, including Buffalo, New York, with devastating consequences. If you’ve been involved in a serious accident and believe the other driver might have been sleep-deprived, Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law can help you understand your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Is Drowsy Driving?
Drowsy driving occurs when someone drives in a condition of excessive fatigue or sleepiness. This condition not only can interfere with reaction times and decision-making but also can result in a driver falling asleep for fractions of a second, known as “microsleep.”
Drowsy driving isn’t just a New York phenomenon. It’s a serious nationwide problem, clearly illustrated by the following data:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 693 deaths from drowsy driving crashes across the United States in 2022, according to the New York Governor’s office.
- The NHTSA has also reported that fatigue-related crashes resulting in injury or death cause an estimated $109 billion in losses annually for victims, not including property damage.
- The National Sleep Foundation says 55% of drowsy driving incidents involve drivers under 25, meaning younger drivers are the most prone to driving while fatigued.
Causes of Drowsy Driving
Lack of sleep is the main cause of drowsy driving, but many factors can cause or influence the condition:
- Work: Some occupations, such as truck driving, can require long hours. In particular, evening and overnight work can interfere with normal sleeping rhythms and lead to excessive fatigue.
- Medication: Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause drowsiness, leading to reduced performance behind the wheel.
- Alcohol: Drivers should never drink and drive. Even a single drink can increase drowsiness.
Common Types of Drowsy Driving Accidents and Injuries
Drowsy driving can result in a variety of accidents, with one of the most common being a rear-end collision. Other types include single-vehicle off-road accidents, intersection accidents due to missing a stoplight or stop sign, and catastrophic head-on crashes.
At Hiller Comerford, we have extensive experience investigating accidents involving drowsy driving and getting results for clients. Often, those clients face a range of painful and expensive injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal injuries
We can help you collect evidence of drowsy driving and document all your resulting losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. This enables us to prove liability and fight for maximum compensation.
Who Is Liable in a Drowsy Driving Accident?
Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits require careful evaluation and presentation of the evidence, in order to prove that a driver acted negligently.
Generally, the law requires drivers to act with a “duty of care” when operating their vehicles. Fatigued driving can be considered breaching that duty.
Proving Driver Fatigue
To establish whether sleep deprivation was a factor, our investigators might seek out the following evidence:
- Witness statements
- Photos and surveillance videos, with timestamps
- Accident reports
- Skid marks and physical evidence
- Work logs
- Phone records
These can help provide information about the driver’s actions and possible drowsiness, as well as indicate whether employers might be responsible in cases of fatigued truck or delivery drivers.
How Our Injury Lawyers Can Help with Drowsy Driving Accidents in Buffalo
After a severe accident, you and your family need to focus on your recovery. Let our experienced team investigate and gather evidence to establish what happened and why.
Insurance providers often attempt to contact victims before they have legal representation, seeking to pressure them into accepting a quick settlement. You can hand those negotiations over to our attorneys, allowing us to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. If the case cannot be settled, we’ll be ready to take it to trial.
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, you can expect personalized attention from an attorney who will keep you constantly informed throughout your case. In addition, we handle most cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we charge no fees unless we are successful.
Schedule a Free Case Review Today
After a drowsy driving accident, there’s no time to waste. Under New York law, personal injury cases have a three-year statute of limitations, but it’s important to act quickly to gather as much evidence as possible. Call us or contact us today for a free case review.
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