The amount of sleep an Alaskan has before he or she gets behind the wheel of a vehicle may be a factor in whether or not he or she is in an accident. A study by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that people who sleep 5 or 6 hours are significantly more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who get a full eight hours of sleep.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF LESS SLEEP
The study data showed that drivers who slept for 5 hours or less, otherwise known as very short sleepers, were four times more likely to drive drowsy than those who slept 7 hours. Drivers who slept between 5 and 6 hours were two times more likely to drive drowsy. Drowsy driving is responsible for up to 33 percent of car accidents, according to federal data. According to a study author, drivers who fall asleep while they are driving may cause more serious accidents than drunk drivers.
A FULL EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP IS BEST
Whether drivers feel well-rested or not does not seem to matter when they get behind the wheel. The researchers reviewed the self-reports of motorists who claim that they slept less than 6 hours regularly but felt like they got enough sleep. That group of drivers was three times more likely to report drowsy driving than 7-hour sleepers.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT
When drivers get on the road without enough sleep, they may pose a danger to everyone. When these drivers cause accidents, the victims or their family members can choose to file a lawsuit to recover their financial losses and hold the other driver responsible. A lawyer who has experience in personal injury claims may help them file the lawsuit and settle the case in or out of court.
For further information or to schedule a consultation please contact Merdes Law Office, P.C. at 866.452.3741 or visit www.Merdes.com. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do.
Source: Claims Journal, “Short Sleepers Most Likely to Be Drowsy Drivers“, October 02, 2013
