Does drowsy driving cause many car accidents in Indiana?

Because most research addresses drowsy driving on the national level, it is difficult to find accurate statistics on the state level. However, one can reasonably assume that Indiana experiences more than its fair share of drowsy driving related car accidents. The current research surrounding driving while drowsy supports this assumption. Below you will find some disturbing facts about drowsy driving on the national level.

— Estimates provided by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) indicate that drowsy driving caused 72,000 car accidents in 2013.

— Those car accidents resulted in 800 deaths and about 44,000 injuries.

— The NHTSA believes that drowsy driving car accidents are underestimated and a more accurate fatality figure is around 6,000 deaths annually.

— 4 percent of 150,000 drivers have reported falling asleep behind the wheel within a 30-day period.

Anyone can fall asleep while driving, but there are certain groups that have a higher risk of drowsy driving. For example, commercial vehicle operators may be at risk because they spend many hours behind the wheel. People who work night shifts can also be at risk, as well as those who take certain prescription medications. People who suffer from untreated sleep disorders may also be more prone to driving while drowsy.

One thing is certain in all American states: Drowsy driving is dangerous to everyone on the road and does in fact cause car accidents, which in turn may result in serious injury or death. Victims of these accidents need a variety of assistance from seeking a legal remedy to finding closure. In many cases, a personal injury lawyer can aid these victims in bringing any at-fault parties to justice.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Drowsy Driving: Asleep at the Wheel,” accessed April 07, 2017

Author Matt Boulton

Attorney Matt Boulton is an award-winning personal injury attorney with more than 25 years of experience helping seriously injured people throughout Indiana. He designed his firm for the client who expects exceptional service and passionate, successful legal representation.

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