Jackson, TN Driver Fatigue Car Accidents
Those grooves on the sides of highways, interstates, and other major roadways are meant to do more than be loud and annoying; they are intended to notify drivers when their vehicles drift off the side of the road. While those grooves may prove to be helpful to some sleepy drivers who doze off while driving, unfortunately they do not prevent all driver fatigue car accidents. If you have been injured in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, then you need to act quickly and contact an experienced attorney who can investigate your claim and build a convincing case against the at-fault driver. The Jackson, TN car accident attorneys at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz have the resources to employ experts and investigators when needed to gather necessary evidence to assert your case. With 33 personal injury attorneys, we are the largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee.
Pursuing a Driver Fatigue Car Accident Case
Drowsy driving is a major problem in Jackson and throughout Tennessee. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, many people do not get enough sleep each night, causing them to become fatigued drivers and possibly nod off or have slower reaction times behind the wheel. Both of these increase the likelihood of being involved in an auto accident in Jackson. In fact, over 100,000 accidents occur each year due to driver fatigue. According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6 out of 10 drivers reported driving while fatigued within the past year, and 1 out of 3 admitted to actually nodding off while driving.
People who are sleep deprived or have been driving for many consecutive hours are at a greater risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, and if those people are traveling at high speeds or on busy roadways when they nod off, serious crashes with devastating injuries are likely to result. Statistics show that driver fatigue car accidents result in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses each year.
If you have been injured in a crash with a drowsy driver, you will need to prove the fatigued driver was responsible for the accident in order to recover monetary damages for your injuries and losses. If you can prove the defendant driver to be at fault for the accident, then you can seek compensation for your losses, including your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. In Tennessee, auto accident victims generally have just one year from the date of the accident to sue for any personal injuries sustained in the wreck. This strict period of time to assert your legal rights is known as the statute of limitation.
It is important to contact a car accident lawyer in the Jackson area right after a driver fatigue car accident so that all steps can be taken to protect your legal rights. If your injuries are severe or if the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit. In order to draft an effective Complaint, it will be necessary to interview witnesses and conduct a thorough investigation of the crash. Witness testimony is helpful in proving that the defendant dozed off or actually fell asleep before causing your collision.
Discuss Your Case with a Jackson Lawyer
If you have been injured in a driver fatigue car accident, do not face off with the insurance company alone. Insurance companies will often try to get out of paying you fair compensation by denying your claim outright or placing some of the blame on you through comparative fault. Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz has handled personal injury cases for more than 30 years, and our attorneys have recovered more than $1.5 billion in compensation for our injured clients. Call us toll-free at 800-LAW-4004 or complete our online form to set up a free consultation today with one of our truck or auto accident lawyers.
