Ohio Car Accident Attorney Helping Injured Plaintiffs with Drowsy Driving Claims
Car accidents have many different causes in Ohio, including drowsy driving. While some Clevelanders do not take drowsy driving as seriously as drunk driving or distracted driving, for example, drowsy or fatigued driving can lead to serious and fatal car wrecks throughout the state. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowsy driving is responsible for at least 72,000 crashes annually, and that number might actually be significantly higher since there is no clear way to know if a driver was sleeping at the time of a crash.
What is Drowsy Driving in Ohio?
Drowsy driving is any driving where the vehicle operator is sleepy or fatigued and cannot pay attention to the road properly or react appropriately to a driving risk. Although many drowsy driving accidents do happen at night, a driver can be fatigued at any time of the day. According to the CDC, it is extremely difficult for a person to recognize the exact moment that they are going to fall asleep. Accordingly, whenever you drive while you are tired, you are at risk of falling asleep at the wheel or being unable to react to a hazard on the road.
The National Sleep Foundation suggests that drowsy driving may be just as dangerous as intoxicated driving, and that fatigued driving may result in just as many—if not more—crashes each year as DUIs.
Getting the Facts About Ohio Drowsy Driving Accidents
What should you know about drowsy driving? Let me give you some of the basic facts. The following are some key statistics about drowsy driving that I have put together from the CDC, the National Sleep Foundation, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- About one in 25 adult drivers admits to falling asleep at the wheel in the last 30 days;
- Approximately 37% of adult drivers in the U.S. admit to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the last year, while 60% admit that they drove while they felt too tired to drive;
- Drowsy driving accidents happen most often between midnight and 6 a.m., as well as in the late afternoon hours;
- Drowsy driving is cited in around 44,000 nonfatal injuries every year, and approximately 800 fatalities, but researchers believe these numbers are underreported; and
- Taking into account underestimations of drowsy driving crashes, researchers report that drowsy driving may be responsible for as many as 6,000 deadly crashes each year.
Statute of Limitations for a Drowsy Driving Claim in Ohio
Under Ohio law, there is a statute of limitations for every type of claim an injury victim might follow. Most car accident lawsuits, including drowsy driving accident claims, have a two-year statute of limitations (Ohio Rev. Code Section 2305.10). The clock on this time window typically begins “ticking” on the date of the accident. If you do not file your claim within that time window, Ohio law can bar your claim altogether.
The sooner you get in touch with me about your case, the sooner I can begin working to get you the financial compensation you deserve.
Get in Touch with Me to File a Drowsy Driving Claim
As a dedicated Ohio car accident attorney, I have been serving plaintiffs for nearly four decades in a variety of motor vehicle crash claims. Whether you are just getting started and need help negotiating with the insurance company or need assistance filing a lawsuit, I have the experience you need to hold the negligent driver accountable. When you work with me, I will do everything I can to get you the financial compensation you need and deserve. Contact me at 877.944.4373 to get more information about how I’ll Make Them Pay!®
