Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Researchers Hope to Find a Way to Detect Driver Fatigue (Part A)
Driving fatigue is dangerous and prevalent in the United States. In fact, experts like those at DrowsyDriving.org estimate that over 100,000 crashes are caused each year by driver fatigue. These truck and car accidents cause untold personal injuries and at least 5,000 fatalities each year.
Why is driving fatigue so dangerous? Unlike other driving impairments, such as drunk driving, there is no way for police to determine if a driver is fatigued. Unfortunately, driving fatigue doesn’t have the equivalent of a breathalyzer test. If a drowsy driver causes a car accident, it can be difficult to prove that driver fatigue was to blame unless the driver admits it.
Researchers Hope to Find Ways to Measure Driving Fatigue
Given the dangers posed by driving fatigue, researchers have been working on innovative ways to measure drowsiness. According to ScienceDirect.com, these devices and tools can be used to help prevent driver fatigue before it causes an accident, and they may be able to determine after the fact if driving fatigue was the cause of a car crash.
However, researchers caution that it is practically impossible to prevent all driving fatigue accidents. In particular, driver fatigue related to a lack of sleep can be very difficult to prevent unless the driver takes his or her own precautions — like pulling over at a rest stop or drinking caffeine. However, other driving fatigue accidents caused by “task-related fatigue” may be easier to prevent. In these car accidents, the driver is not sleep-deprived, but becomes drowsy because he or she has been performing the same task (i.e., driving) for so long.
If you have already been injured in a driving fatigue accident, you may wish that these preventative measures were in place before your car accident. Still, every victim who comes forward helps raise awareness about the issue of driver fatigue.
How a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Win Your Case
If you have been injured in a driving fatigue accident in Massachusetts, you know that a car accident can ruin and completely change your life. If you suspect driving fatigue may be the cause of the car crash, you should contact an attorney to learn about your rights and determine liability.
Massachusetts has a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a lawsuit against the fatigued driver, so make sure you act in a timely manner before it’s too late.
Call the Boston car accident lawyers at Kiley Law Group to go over all the aspects of your accident to determine the negligent party and the full extent of your injury-related expenses.
Continue to Researchers Hope to Find a Way to Detect Driver Fatigue (Part B) on the next page >>
