Americans are always on the go, and many are suffering from sleep deprivation. Unfortunately, this could also be increasing their risk of accident. In fact, a recent study from the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that losing even just a couple hours of sleep can double a driver’s risk of a car accident. What might this mean for you and your family, even if you are not sleep deprived? The following explains.
Understanding the Risk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately one in three adults suffer from sleep deprivation. So, even if you are driving well-rested, chances are, several of the drivers around you are struggling to stay awake. Their reflexes are dulled, and their risk for an accident could be as high as a drunk driver’s. Indeed, this is the risk for those who are driving on five hours of sleep or less.
Mitigating the Risk for You and Your Family
While you cannot do much about the drivers around you, you can use defensive driving to help mitigate the risks for you and your family. Pay attention to those around you, give yourself extra following distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, and ensure you keep your cell phone put away while on the road. You should also exercise extra care while in construction zones, and in areas that you are unfamiliar with. Lastly, ensure you know what to do, should you and your loved ones experience an automobile accident.
Immediately After an Accident
If you or your loved ones experience an accident, it is critical that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries can be delayed, and others may be masked by adrenaline. Failure to document any injuries could compromise your health and your personal injury claim. You will also need this documentation if you plan to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Get Legal Assistance with Your Claim
While victims can pursue claims on their own, doing so can be stressful and may even lead to a smaller settlement. This is because insurance companies look for any way possible to reduce the payout of a claim. So, rather than take the risk, get experienced legal assistance with your auto accident injury claim.
At Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., we fight for the best interest of accident victims. Backed by decades of experience, our Green Bay auto accident lawyers pursue the most favorable outcome in every case. Schedule your consultation to learn more. Call 920-739-7366 today.
Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sleep-deprivation-doubles-car-crash-risk-aaa/
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html