Drowsy Driving Accidents In Indiana: How Daylight Saving Time Increases Crash Risk
While spring time changes herald a return of warmer weather and increased daylight hours, they also can mess with your sleep schedule. Losing an hour of sleep may not seem like a big deal, but it can significantly impair your driving.
After the time changes, many drivers feel tired or distracted and react more slowly, increasing the risk of car accidents in Indiana. If you were injured in a crash and suspect a fatigued driver is responsible, contact our experienced Marion car accident lawyer. We explain more about drowsy driving, how it increases after time changes, and your rights in an injury claim.
How Daylight Saving Time Increases Indiana’s Drowsy Driving Risks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that police reports indicate that drowsy driving is the official cause of nearly 100,000 car accidents each year. However, as it often goes unreported and is difficult to prove, the actual figure is likely much higher.
During the spring, when we set clocks forward and lose an hour of sleep, it takes time to adjust. Even if you feel alert, fatigue can have major impacts on your driving abilities, causing the same types of impairments as drunk driving. These include:
- Reduced reaction time, making it difficult to respond to potential hazards.
- Impaired judgment impacts decision-making on the road.
- Lapses in attention can result in missed signals or traffic changes.
- Microsleep episodes, where drivers briefly lose awareness.
People who work swing shifts or overtime, college students, new parents, and people with sleep disorders face increased risks.
What to Do After an Indiana Car Accident Caused by a Drowsy Driver
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute reports that drowsy driving is a common problem that can have deadly consequences for motorists. Drivers need to get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel and to pull over if they feel their eyes getting heavy or begin nodding off.
If you are involved in an Indiana car accident and suspect drowsy driving is to blame, take these steps to protect yourself and your rights to compensation:
- Call the police immediately to report the crash and inform them you suspect the other party of drowsy driving.
- Document the scene, including the time of day, vehicle damage, and road conditions.
- Get contact information for witnesses who may have seen the at-fault party driving erratically.
- Avoid admitting liability at the scene.
- Get legal help before speaking with insurers.
Fatigue-related crashes are often harder to prove than other accidents. Documenting what happened and getting professional legal representation helps protect your rights to compensation.
Injured by a Drowsy Driver? Contact Our Experienced Indiana Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you are injured in an Indiana car accident and suspect a drowsy driver is responsible, request a consultation with Whitfield Crosby & Flynn. Our Indiana car accident lawyer can investigate, gather evidence, and hold those at fault accountable.
To get the total amount you need to recover, call or contact us online today. We proudly represent injured clients in Madisonville, Kentucky, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sources:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving
in.gov/cji/traffic-safety/drowsy-driving/
