Drowsy Driving Causes Thousands of Fatal Crashes Each Year

Drowsy driving is a major factor in car accidents, often with devastating consequences. What many don't realize is just how widespread these collisions are across the country. Each year, thousands of people are injured or lose their lives in crashes caused by drivers who are too tired to be behind the wheel or who fall asleep while driving

Tired drivers put everyone on the road at risk

Drowsy driving is responsible for a staggering number of crashes across the country. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a collision involving a tired driver happens every 96 seconds in the U.S., totaling an estimated 328,000 accidents each year.

These crashes result in around 109,000 injuries and 6,400 deaths annually. And these numbers might be even higher, as many drowsy driving incidents go unreported.

One eye-opening statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals just how common the risk is—nearly 1 in 25 drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the past month.

What makes drowsy driving so dangerous?

Drowsy driving significantly increases the risk of a car accident, especially when sleep is cut short. Missing even a couple of hours of rest makes drivers twice as likely to cause a crash, and with less than five hours of sleep, the risk skyrockets to four or five times greater than for well-rested drivers, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Here's why drowsy driving is so dangerous:

Slower reaction times

Fatigue drastically slows down a driver's response time, particularly when needing to stop or slow down suddenly. This delay often leads to rear-end accidents, as a tired driver may not react in time to avoid a collision with the car in front.

Lane drifting

Drowsy drivers frequently drift into other lanes or even into oncoming traffic. This unintentional veering is especially dangerous on two-lane roads, where it can lead to devastating head-on collisions. The lack of awareness and control makes it difficult for drowsy drivers to correct their course in time.

Failure to slow down

Fatigue can make a driver unaware of changing road conditions, including slowing or stopped traffic. Often, tired drivers don't brake or slow down before a crash, leading to more severe impacts. This "out-of-touch" effect is particularly dangerous when traveling at high speeds.

Falling asleep at the wheel

Many fatigued drivers close their eyes completely before they even realize it, turning their car into an unpredictable, uncontrolled hazard on the road. Even a few seconds of shut-eye can lead to severe consequences, especially if it occurs on a busy highway or at an intersection.

Impaired judgment

Fatigue clouds decision-making skills, causing drivers to make unsafe choices, like misjudging the distance between vehicles or speeding to stay awake. These poor decisions can have serious, sometimes deadly, outcomes, especially in fast-paced or high-traffic situations.

Drowsy driving can be just as bad as drunk driving

Drowsy driving might seem harmless compared to drunk driving, but research shows the two share alarming similarities. According to a study cited by the Sleep Foundation, tired drivers experience slowed hand-eye coordination and delayed reaction times—just like someone under the influence of alcohol.

Here's how sleep deprivation stacks up against alcohol impairment:

• 18 hours awake - After 18 hours without sleep, a driver's reaction time is as slow as someone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%, which is approaching the legal limit for impairment in some states.
• 20 hours awake - Drivers who have been awake for 20 hours show reactions similar to someone with a BAC of 0.08%—the legal limit for drunk driving in most states. At this level, decision-making and coordination are severely compromised.
• 24 hours awake - Staying awake for a full 24 hours causes reaction times to plummet to the equivalent of a BAC of 0.1%, well over the legal limit and highly dangerous.

How an attorney can help if you've been injured

If you've been injured in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, an experienced car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Drowsy driving cases can be challenging, especially when the at-fault driver or their insurance company denies fatigue was a factor. A skilled attorney can investigate how the crash occurred and gather the evidence you need to help prove liability.

Insurance companies often try to downplay fatigue-related claims to avoid paying full compensation, offering low settlements that barely cover immediate expenses. With an attorney by your side, you'll have someone to push back against these tactics and fight for maximum compensation, covering everything from medical bills and lost income to long-term pain and suffering. Don't let the insurance company take control—let an experienced car accident attorney handle your case and keep your best interests front and center.

Contact the Law Offices of Brent C. Miller today

At the Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A., our legal team has decades of experience working with injury victims and fighting for the compensation they deserve. Our verdicts and settlements prove this, including a $5.6 million recovery for a client who was injured in a car accident.

We also work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Get a law firm that knows how to get results. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer you can count on in a crisis. With offices in Tavares, Inverness, Clermont, and The Villages, we represent clients throughout Central Florida.

"Couldn't ask for a better law firm to handle my auto accident case. They were quick, effective, and very down to earth."– Courtney S.