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Las Vegas Sleep Deprivation Car Accident Lawyers in Las Vegas

Drowsy driving is dangerous driving. Yet, “Was the driver who hit me sleep-deprived?” may not be the first thing to cross your mind after an accident. While late-night crashes may be an obvious situation in which to consider sleep deprivation as a contributing factor, the truth is, sleep-deprived drivers cause crashes at all hours of the day. That’s why this type of accident requires experienced legal guidance and thorough research and investigation. At Henness & Haight, Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers look into every angle of your case to determine what contributed to your accident and the right way to hold the other party responsible.

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Home / Las Vegas Car Accident Attorneys / Sleep Deprivation Accidents

You probably already know just how serious drunk driving or distracted driving can be; however, drowsy driving happens just as frequently (if not more) and can be equally as dangerous.

Drowsiness after an all-nighter or several nights of little sleep isn’t just an uncomfortable sensation; it can be the recipe for a serious accident if you get behind the wheel. Sleep-deprived drivers are those drivers whose critical cognitive or physical abilities are inhibited due to a lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation, even mild cases, makes drivers less attentive, delays their reaction time, and impacts their ability to make smart decisions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 697 people died on U.S. roads in 2019 because of “drowsy drivers” either falling asleep at the wheel or unsafely operating their vehicle. But that’s not all: NHTSA estimates that in 2017, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers. These accidents led to an estimated 50,000 people being injured. However, most traffic safety and sleep science experts agree that these numbers are likely an underestimate of the true impact of drowsy driving.

The scary fact is that sleep deprivation can be just as dangerous as drunkenness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites studies that show that going too long without sleep can impair your driving ability in the same way as alcohol.

  • Staying awake for at least 18 hours is the same as someone having a blood content (BAC) of 0.05%.
  • Staying awake for at least 24 hours is equal to having a blood alcohol content of 0.10%. This is higher than the legal limit (0.08% BAC) in all states.

Pair drowsiness with alcohol consumption, and the effects become even more pronounced.

Recognizing Sleep-Deprived Drivers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy driving accidents occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. This is when most people have changes in their circadian rhythm which leads to experiencing heightened symptoms of fatigue.

The CDC reports that the following groups of drivers are more likely to suffer from the effects of sleep deprivation on the road than others:

  • Drivers who do not consistently get 7 or more hours of sleep
  • Commercial drivers who operate 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, or buses
  • Shift workers
  • Drivers with untreated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
  • Drivers who use medications that make them sleepy, such as allergy medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and more

Why Long-Haul Truckers and Commercial Drivers are at High-Risk for Sleep Deprivation

Commercial drivers, especially long-haul truckers, are probably at the highest risk for being sleep-deprived on the road. Because of their long, monotonous hours behind the wheel — usually for several days in a row — drowsy driving is a real and serious problem in the industry.

The federal government has recognized this issue, which is why they have strict limits on how long truckers can drive. Currently, the regulation state that drivers are allowed a period of 14 consecutive hours in which to drive up to 11 hours — after being off duty for 10 or more consecutive hours.

To prove they are following regulations, truckers must keep driving logs. However, it’s not an uncommon practice in the industry to write one thing down yet do another. Drivers looking to shorten their trip or improve their efficiency could falsify records to stay within regulations on paper. This is why, if you were hit by a long-haul trucker, we look carefully into a driver’s logs and the company’s history. If the driver is lying on the logs, or if the driver’s company is aware that its employees are falsifying records, we can prove federal regulations were not being upheld which significantly increases your financial recovery.

Seeking Justice After a Sleep-Deprived Driver Hits You

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, it’s crucial you contact a sleep-deprivation accident attorney right away. If a drowsy driver’s illegal actions injured you or killed a loved one, you have every right to seek justice and a lawyer will help you do so.

Las Vegas sleep-deprivation accident lawyers can work to prove that the driver’s fatigued state caused the accident that has left you injured or mourning the loss of a life.

Here are just a few ways your Las Vegas car accident attorney may help you navigate this distressing time after an accident:

  • Gather evidence that shows the other driver was fatigued or impaired. Official police reports, your own video or photos from the scene, or local security or traffic camera footage can be invaluable in proving the driver fell asleep at the wheel or was under the influence of sleeping pills or other medication that caused drowsiness.
  • Help determine the value of your damages. From car repairs and medical bills to emotional suffering or the wrongful death of a loved one, we help you determine the full and fair compensation you deserve for the pain you’ve endured.
  • Draw from their experience in other Las Vegas car accident cases. Choosing a personal injury attorney who has experience with drowsy driving cases is essential. Their previous cases and knowledge of DUI laws will help them understand how to approach your case to achieve the best outcome for you.
  • Stand up to the fatigued driver’s attorney and insurance company. A drowsy driving defendant, their attorney, and their insurance company will do everything they can to avoid paying you the fair compensation you deserve. A personal injury attorney will know their tactics and make sure you — the victim — are never silenced.
  • Be a trusted, confidential legal advocate. Having a trusted lawyer on your side is critical to protecting your rights. You don’t have to be a legal expert or skilled communicator to seek justice. They will give you the facts and offer advice based on what’s best for you. They will speak for you to give you the strongest and most compelling representation.

Choose Henness & Haight, The Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Las Vegas

A serious car accident can leave you physically injured, mentally or emotionally traumatized, and financially insecure. We know what this moment feels like — we’ve helped many Las Vegas victims who have been where you are now. Know that this moment won’t last: help is here.

We are the experienced, professional, and capable legal team that is ready to stand up for you and your rights. Through careful legal strategy, expert communication, and a strong passion for justice, we will approach your car accident case as if it were our own.

We’re incredibly proud of our settlement results, but we’re even more proud of the testimonials our clients give. Being an advocate for victims of negligence is what drives us; that’s why you can trust that with Henness & Haight, help is here. In your situation, finding the resources to pay for a lawyer should be the least of your worries. That’s why our no-win, no-fee promise means you don’t pay anything out of pocket. Our legal fees are covered by a percentage of the settlement we win for you.

Learn more about our Las Vegas car accident attorneys and see some of our case results, or contact us for a completely free, no-obligation consultation.

FAQs about Sleep Deprivation Accidents

The sleep-deprived driver who hit me was driving a commercial vehicle. Should I negotiate with their company?

No; do not reach out to the company or answer their phone calls, emails, or letters if they try to speak to you. A valuable advantage of having legal representation is the ability to direct all communication to your lawyers while a lawsuit is in progress; take advantage of this. Anything you say or do could be used against you

I can't afford medical care, but the accident injured me. What should I do?

Don’t avoid medical care because of an inability to pay. There are resources and ways you can receive medical care even if you don’t have the funds available now to pay for it. If you do not have health insurance, find out if you qualify for Medicaid in Nevada. If you qualify, Medicaid will cover your medical bills going forward, and possibly even some of your existing bills.

If you do not qualify for Medicaid, our team can help you explore other options for receiving necessary medical care.

What expenses can I seek damages for after the accident?

Full and fair compensation is our goal — that means compensation that covers all expenses incurred as a direct result of the accident. This could include:

  • ambulance fees
  • emergency room, hospital, and surgical bills
  • physical therapy bills
  • medication costs
  • medical equipment purchases
  • future medical bills
  • necessary changes to your home or lifestyle to accommodate your injuries
  • mental health therapy or counseling
  • lost wages from work
  • costs incurred from the loss of your vehicle or from its repairs
  • emotional pain and suffering
  • and more

Each case is unique and your costs may vary. Our attorneys will work with you to determine a thorough account of the compensation you deserve.

How do I prove the driver was sleep-deprived?

Police reports may indicate the driver who hit you was drowsy, fatigued, or had fallen asleep at the wheel at the time of the accident. Other forms of evidence can also point to the driver’s altered state, such as witness testimonies, security or traffic camera footage, and photos or videos you or onlookers capture at the scene. If you are safely able to do so, try to collect as much evidence at the scene of the accident that illustrates the driver may have been fatigued. After the accident, our attorneys will work to determine the best way to collect evidence that proves your accident was caused by the driver’s reckless driving in a drowsy state.

How much will your legal services cost?

Our approach is simple: “no win, no fee.” That means that you don’t pay us anything upfront. We know that most of our clients are already struggling with bills from unexpected injuries or car repairs; we don’t expect you to take out loans or dip into savings to pay for our services, too. Our fees are covered by a percentage of the compensation we successfully recover for you. We mean it when we say “no win, no fee”; this literally means there’s zero risk to you hiring us.

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