Driver Fatigue: Lessons From A Personal Injury Attorney

Driver Fatigue: Lessons From A Personal Injury Attorney

Driver fatigue is a serious problem that is becoming bigger by the day. There are thousands of accidents every year, and the fast paced, technological world we live in today is certainly not helping to lower the accident rate in our country. Sleep deprivation is becoming increasingly more common among people of all ages. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000+ police reported crashes are the result of driver fatigue.  These crashes result in approximately 1,550 deaths each year. That’s 1,550 lives that could be saved by getting more rest or not driving when drowsy! Unfortunately, there is no test (like a breathalyzer) to determine if a driver is too sleepy to drive.

The National Sleep Foundation also reminds us of the high personal and economic costs that are risked by driving while fatigued. If you cause a car accident due to driver fatigue you can face jail time as well as steep fines and high automobile insurance costs. Multi-million dollar settlements have been won by families of crash victims against the at fault driver.

As a personal injury attorney, I am all too familiar with the results of crashes due to driver fatigue. Here are some tips that you can follow in order to avoid being a fatigued, at fault driver in a crash:

  • Be mindful of early morning driving. Most crashes caused by tired drivers occur between 2am and 6am.
  • Be mindful of afternoon driving, too. Afternoon naps are great, but not while you’re driving! The second most popular time of day for crashes caused by tired drivers is between 2pm and 4pm.
  • Know if you’re at risk. Male drivers between the ages of 18-29, truck drivers, adults with children, and shift workers are more likely to suffer from driver fatigue. You’re also more likely to fall asleep while driving on a high speed, long, boring highway.
  • Take a nap and have a coffee. Seriously! Pulling off the road for a short nap (20 minutes or so) and having a caffeinated beverage can help keep you awake long enough for you to get where you’re going.
  • Avoid alcohol and over the counter drugs that cause drowsiness. This should go without saying, but if you know you’ve got a drive ahead of you, avoid alcohol and sleep inducing drugs.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a car crash, you deserve compensation. Call me today for your free consultation at (770) 744-5250. I’ll gather all the facts and evidence in your case to make sure that you are fairly compensated for any loss suffered.

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Tips From A Car Accident Lawyer: Emergency Supplies

Tips From A Car Accident Lawyer: Emergency Supplies

Cars are a crucial part of everyday life for most of us. They take us to and from work, school, church, doctor appoints, etc. Unfortunately, its impossible to predict when or where your car is going to break down, not start, or get a flat tire. These little headaches are next to impossible to avoid, and most of us have probably dealt with one or more of these issues in the not so distant past. Driving a car or riding in one also brings with it the risk of being in an accident. According to car insurance averages, you will probably get in 3-4 accidents over the course of your life. Fortunately, these accidents will more than likely not be deadly, but they can still cause a major headache for you.

As an experienced car accident lawyer, I’ve heard many stories from clients who have gotten into sticky situations involving their cars. While I can’t help you avoid car troubles or accidents, I can help you be more prepared should you find yourself in one of these situations.

Here’s a list of emergency supplies you should always have in your car:

  1. First-aid kit- A first-aid kit will come in handy more than you expect! If you have kids, its always a good idea to have one in case of any accidents. Also, if you get into a car accident, you will be able to begin treating any minor injuries while you wait on paramedics.
  2. Flashlight- If you have car troubles early in the morning before the sun has risen or late at night after it has set, you’ll need a flashlight to see what’s going on. A flashlight will be helpful if you need to look under your car’s hood, change a tire, or walk to the nearest gas station. Make sure your flashlight has working batteries in it and that you have a spare set in your car.
  3. Cash- Its so easy for us to go weeks at a time without needing cash since most of us use our debit or credit cards. Keeping some cash hidden in a safe compartment is always a good idea in case you lose your wallet or find yourself using a vendor or retailer who doesn’t accept debit cards or has a debit card system that isn’t working.
  4. Food and water- Having water and non perishable snacks in your car at all times may seem like overkill, but if you find yourself stranded and in need of food and water you’ll thank yourself. In a worst case scenario, having food and water in your car could save your life. Remember Atlanta’s “snowmageddon” in 2014? Food and water were definitely coveted items for many stranded motorists.
  5. Jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper- I’m sure most of you have, at some point, experienced a dead car battery. It happens to most of us more than once! Having a dead battery in an isolated area or when you’re on vacation can be a huge hassle. Keeping jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper can help you easily take care of a dead battery situation.
  6. Car cell phone charger- We all know the headache that comes with a dead cell phone battery. Generally, a dead cell phone battery is just a minor annoyance. However, if you are stranded due to a broken down car or have been in a car accident, a dead cell phone can pose a real problem. Keeping a charger for your cell phone in the car is always a good idea.

Keeping the aforementioned items in your car in case of an emergency can help bring you peace of mind and help you feel better prepared. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and you are in need of a personal injury lawyer, call me today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.

 

 

Safety & Trucking Accidents

Safety & Trucking Accidents

18 wheelers and other large trucks play a vital role in our society. They transport good to our communities that keep things running smoothly, but they also pose certain safety risks on the roads. Trucking accidents are all too common, and in Georgia, 5 college students were killed in a tractor trailer crash this past April. 

Because trucks are an integral part of our society and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, its important that all drivers follow certain safety tips to help minimize the risk of having trucking accidents.

Safety tips for car drivers:

• Be mindful of the blind spots trucks have– Remember, if you can’t see the truck’s rearview or side mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.

• Give plenty of warning when merging in front of a truck- Because trucks cannot brake as easily and as quickly as passenger cars,  it is important to never cut in front of a truck. If you are getting over into a lane in front of a truck, remember to put plenty of space between you and the truck and use your blinker appropriately.

• Never pass a truck while it is making a turn- Trucks need much more space to turn than passenger cars do. Even though it may be frustrating to wait behind a truck for it to slowly take a turn and it may be tempting to pass them, you may be putting yourself in danger by doing so.

Safety tips for truck drivers:

• Be mindful of your own blind spots– Adjust your mirrors as necessary so that you can get the most complete view of your surroundings, but also remember that you have major blind spots while driving your truck.

• Make sure you’re feeling well enough to drive before doing so- If you are experiencing any amount of driver fatigue, pull over and rest. Your chance of having an accident increases considerably if you’re not feeling well or rested.

• Follow all safety precautions when driving through construction zones- Abide by all lowered construction zone speed limits, and make sure you are extra aware as you pass through these zones.

If you are involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler or another large truck, your health and safety and the health and safety of others involved should be your main concern. Make sure everyone who needs medical treatment gets it immediately, and be aware of any hazardous material the truck may be carrying.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a trucking accident, contact me today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.

Teenage Drivers: Driving Safety Tips

Teenage Drivers: Driving Safety Tips

I’m sure you can all remember the day that your teenage children were born. It goes by so fast and seems like just yesterday. You’ve taught them to read and write, and you’ve seen them grow up. Now, its time to teach them to be responsible drivers. Having your teenage driver take a driving safety course is a great way to teach them good driving habits. Today’s society is saturated with technology that is presenting teen drivers with all kinds of distractions.

Here are some tips for teaching your teen to drive safely:

  1. Selfies- Driving and taking a selfie is NEVER a good idea. Even if you’re stopped at a red light or stop sign, taking a selfie can dangerously distract you from what’s going on. According to a CNN article written in late 2013, driving and selfie’ing is scarily popular. At the time, there were close to 4,000 posts on Instagram under the hashtag “drivingselfie”. Today, there are almost 30,000. Clearly, this is a dangerous trend that is on the rise.
  2. Set a good example- Its so hard, even as adults, to avoid looking at our phones and checking emails, calendars, and texts. Studies have shown that new drivers have significantly fewer accidents when there is a responsible adult in the car. Because you can’t be with your teen driver all the time, you can do your best to ensure safe driving habits by setting good habits yourself.
  3. Eating- Unfortunately, we all have busy schedules and nearly everyone ends up eating in their car at some point. Similar to texting while driving or taking a selfie while driving, eating while driving is distracting. Eating while driving can increase your teen’s chance of having an accident by up to 80%.
  4. Driving costs- Discussing the monetary costs involved with having a car and driving with your teen can help them take it more seriously. Talking about car insurance, car payments, and gas- and perhaps even sharing the cost with your teen driver- may be a much needed reality check.

 

 

If you or someone you know has been the victim of an auto accident due to distracted driving or a teen driver, call Kyle today for your free consultation at (770) 744-5250.