Kent Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer
- How Does Kent, Washington, Define Driver Fatigue?
- How Drivers in Kent Can Avoid or Lessen Driver Fatigue
- Who Is at Risk for Driver Fatigue in King County. Washington?
- Motorists in Kent, Washington, Should Know the Signs of Fatigue
- What is the Best Way to Reduce Driver Fatigue in King County?
- Get Herschensohn Law to Help with Your Driver Fatigue Case
Driving for extended periods puts a lot of stress on your body. Sitting in one position for a long time can make you uncomfortable, and this discomfort can steadily accumulate after hours of driving. If you’re constantly shifting your weight, tapping your hands on the steering wheel, and getting distracted every few seconds, it becomes difficult to keep yourself comfortable while also making sure that you’re paying attention to the road.
This is why fatigue is such an issue. After driving for such a period, your body becomes exhausted and your ability to drive alertly is greatly diminished. You become more likely to make mistakes while driving and experience other driver-related issues like drowsiness or anxiety.
Fatigue is a common problem affecting many people who drive long distances every day. Fatigue has many different causes and tends to be more prevalent in drivers with more physical limitations.
Hormonal changes, such as the release of the hormone cortisol, can also cause fatigue during prolonged periods of driving. You are at risk for fatigue when you drive long distances daily, especially when it comes to long commutes after longer shifts (i.e., over 12 hours).
The effects of fatigue can be compared to physical limitations, such as a weakened immune system and reduced muscle strength. Fatigue is referred to as a “driver effect,” which means you’re more likely to make mistakes because you’re not optimally conditioned to drive. Fatigue is common and can be very dangerous for drivers. It can momentarily take your attention off the road, causing you to make errors that ordinarily would have been avoided.
Driver fatigue can also cause your mind to wander while you’re behind the wheel, making you drive more recklessly or even crash due to your lack of attention. The National Safety Council estimates that fatigue triples the likelihood of a car accident occurring. It can put your life at risk, especially if you are driving during peak hours or on weekends when there are more drivers on the road.
The most effective way to combat fatigue is by making sure that you are getting adequate rest and sleep. The best way to do this is to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. This will help your body wake up properly, giving you natural alertness when you start driving again later in the day.
If you know you have a lot of driving to do, a small rest (even a nap) ahead of time can help. You should also try to avoid taking any medications or other substances before driving so they don’t negatively affect your performance. If you have any medical conditions, you should consult with your doctor before driving to determine if and when your medication makes it safe to drive.
If you are an employer, ensure that your drivers don’t continuously drive beyond eight hours.
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If you’ve had a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening medical condition, you’re at a high risk of driver fatigue. People with diabetes or high blood pressure are also at risk of fatigue. You should avoid driving if you have a medical condition that can increase your risk of fatigue.
If you have any medical conditions that require you to take medications or supplements, consult with your doctor before driving to determine whether you can drive while taking them.
Age can also be a contributing factor to driver fatigue, especially for senior citizens over age 65.
In addition, those with certain types of depression, anxiety, or other psychological conditions may be at higher risk of fatigue. Finally, anyone who drinks or consumes substances before driving may become impaired by their effects, and find themselves fatigued while driving.
There are many symptoms of driver fatigue, including:
- A feeling of being tired, worn out, or fatigued
- A loss of concentration and ability to drive safely
- A loss of memory and alertness
- A sense of distraction
- Driving slower than usual
- General inattentiveness at the wheel
When you are fatigued, you may not be able to see as well as you normally would. Your eyes become too tired to focus properly on objects in front of you or on instruments that need your attention for safe driving. Inattentiveness at the wheel can ultimately result in an accident such as a rear-end collision, running a red light, or even hitting a pedestrian.
There are many factors that can increase your risk of fatigued driving. However, there are also many things that can help reduce this risk, including:
- Keep yourself properly hydrated.
- If you’re drinking alcohol, make sure that you don’t exceed the recommended amount (1-2 drinks per day). Drinking decreases your ability to stay alert and react properly to situations on the road. Driving while drunk is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. Drinking while driving increases your chances of getting into an accident since it decreases your reaction time and awareness of what’s going on around you.
- If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or hypertension it will be harder for you to regulate your blood sugar levels properly when you’re under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. You should avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages when behind the wheel so you can continue to drive safely.
- Take breaks. Don’t drive beyond eight hours without taking a break.
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If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident caused by driver fatigue, we can help. At Herschensohn Law, our lawyers can evaluate your accident and develop a plan to move forward. Call us today at (206) 588-4344 to schedule your free case evaluation. Our team in Kent is ready to listen.
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