As you travel to and from your destinations for the day, you may share Ohio roads with a multitude of other drivers. As such, at least a portion of your safety inherently lies in the hands of others, and the decisions they make could have an impact on your safety and well-being in various ways.
While most drivers may share your desire to stay safe while traveling, accidents continue to occur at an alarming rate and under a multitude of circumstances. Even the most cautious of drivers could find it difficult to maintain lane control after succumbing to the effects of driver fatigue.
Drowsy driving
While you may wish to take every possible measure to prevent fatigue from setting in while driving, a similar scenario doesn’t always involve a mere lack of rest. Some of the scenarios in which you could have trouble staying awake behind the wheel might include:
- Health condition: There are a variety of medical conditions that could leave you more susceptible to feeling the effects of fatigue, and seeking attention to address these issues before operating a vehicle could prove imperative.
- Prescription medication: Certain prescription medications can also have an impact on your ability to remain alert and aware, and getting behind the wheel while under their effects could be dangerous.
- Long trip: Long trips are another common cause of driver fatigue, and if you must travel for extended periods, taking frequent breaks may prove essential to helping you stay awake.
- Share the responsibility: When taking a long trip, sharing the responsibility with another driver could also help both of you stave off issues with fatigue or drowsiness.
While understanding the signs that might indicate an oncoming bout with fatigue can be helpful, you cannot force others to take the same precautions. Should another driver’s negligent decisions cause a collision to occur, you could be the one suffering the consequences.
Aftermath of a crash
If a major collision leaves you in the hospital with severe injuries, the physical and financial ramifications of the situation could weigh heavily upon you. Following the crash, it could be in your best interests to consult with someone who is knowledgeable in such intricate matters for guidance on your available legal avenues. In doing so, you could find yourself in a much better position to pursue the full amount of restitution you deserve through a personal injury claim against the party deemed responsible.
