Drowsy and Sleeping Driver Accidents
All Pennsylvania drivers need to be alert and focused while on the road, but many people attempt to fight through their spells of yawning and heavy eyelids to get to destinations. While exhaustion or lack of sleep is commonly associated with commercial truck drivers who spend several hours on American highways, people in several other professions can be susceptible to being drowsy behind the wheel, including shift workers, business travelers, and people working in the airline industry.
Some of the times that fatigue may affect motorists include:
- Daylight Savings Time
- During holiday travel
- Early in the morning
- Late at night
- On vacation
When a driver nods off or falls asleep at the wheel, he or she could drift into another lane of traffic and possibly cause a devastating collision. Victims in these crashes may suffer such serious injuries as severe fractures, paralysis, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In some cases, innocent people may be killed.
If a driver falls asleep while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, he or she can be civilly liable for the damage he or she causes in Pennsylvania. However, if that driver was operating a commercial vehicle, then his or her employer could also be negligent. Many trucking companies compel their drivers to stay behind the wheel even when they are exhausted so cargo can arrive at destinations on time.
Even if a motorist admits at the scene of the accident that he or she was drowsy or fell asleep while behind the wheel, his or her insurance company will still argue that any victims were also somehow negligent. In cases involving commercial vehicles, trucking companies may act quickly to falsify logbooks or get rid of evidence that indicates a driver had exceeded federal limits.
West Chester Drowsy Driver Accident Lawyer
Our attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices work as a team to thoroughly investigate these cases and hold negligent parties accountable. Our firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis, which means that the people we serve pay us nothing unless we get them compensation first.
If you sustained catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drowsy or sleeping driver, call (610) 692-8700 right now to have our driver fatigue lawyers review your case and help you understand your legal options. We help residents of communities in Chester County, Lancaster County, Delaware County, Philadelphia County, and Montgomery County.
Contact Our PA Personal Injury Lawyers
We are a team of Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers our main offices located in West Chester, Chester County Pennsylvania and serving clients throughout the greater Philadelphia Metro Area including Lancaster County, Berks County, Bucks County, Delaware County and Montgomery County. If your family has been victimized by the negligence of another and you are seeking a free initial consult on you rights and possible claims, it is crucial you speak to an experienced Pennsylvania Injury lawyers in order to ensure your rights are protected and to review all of your legal options with you.
The Injury attorneys of Ciccarelli Law Offices have successfully represented individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania that have been injured in accidents. Our Chester County based law firm is based at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380 and serves clients throughout Pennsylvania including but not limited to in Kennett Square, Downingtown, West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, Chester Springs, Chadds Ford, Landenberg, Lancaster, Media, Harrisburg, Reading, Philadelphia, Honey Brook, Oxford, Malvern, Parkesburg, Phoenixville and Paoli. Contact us now at (610) 692-8700 or call toll free (877) 529-2422. Don’t wait—contact an attorney immediately.