If you were injured in an accident with a fatigued or drowsy driver, a Biloxi drowsiness accident lawyer may be able to help you demonstrate negligence on the part of the driver who caused your injuries.
At the Morris Bart law firm, we are ready to defend your right to seek a fair settlement offer from the insurance company representing the fatigued driver. Call us today for a free review of your case at (228) 357-9621.
Things that Lead to Drowsy Driving
When a driver has not had enough sleep or has taken certain types of medication, it can lead to drowsy driving. A driver does not need to have fallen asleep behind the wheel to be considered drowsy. Being overly tired is enough to cause an accident, as the drowsy driver may not react to hazards in the road quickly enough.
Some of the potential causes of drowsy driving may include:
- Lack of sleep: A driver who did not receive enough sleep the previous night can be slow to react to obstacles on the road, leading to a higher chance of a crash.
- Sleep disorders: A driver who suffers from a sleep disorder may have trouble while behind the wheel, leaving the driver unable to make quick choices.
- Medications: Taking certain types of prescription drugs or drinking alcohol can leave a person feeling fatigued, which can create an inability to make sound judgments while on the road.
- Early morning driving: Drivers who typically are on the roads between midnight and 6 a.m. have a greater likelihood of being involved in a drowsy driving crash, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
For a free legal consultation with a Drowsiness Accident lawyer serving Biloxi, call (228) 357-9621
Signs of Drowsy Driving
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in 25 adults admits to having fallen asleep behind the wheel within the previous 30 days. Some of the signs of fatigued driving include:
- Excessive yawning
- Difficulty focusing on road signs
- Missing a turn or exit
- Failing to remember the last few minutes
- Drifting out of your lane
- Failing to maintain a consistent speed
If you believe a driver was exhibiting some of these signs before hitting you, you may be able to use this evidence to show that the other driver was fatigued. An attorney can help you demonstrate that the other driver was behaving negligently. Such evidence can be important as you negotiate an insurance settlement.
Keep in mind that in the state of Mississippi, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim. According to Mississippi (MS) Code §15-1-49, you have up to three years to do so.
Contact the Morris Bart law firm at (228) 357-9621 today for a free case review and to learn more.
Steps You Should Take After a Crash
If you were injured in an accident with a drowsy driver, taking a few important steps can help you with your personal injury claim.
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Seek Medical Attention
First responders may recommend that you ride to the hospital in an ambulance for emergency medical care after the crash. If you choose not to do this, you may want to visit your personal doctor within a day or two to have your injuries documented and to have a recovery plan laid out for you to follow.
Do Not Accept Blame
Do not admit blame to the other driver or to law enforcement. This could reduce your chance of receiving a fair settlement.
Do Not Agree to a Settlement Immediately
The drowsy driver’s insurance company may reach out to you after the crash, accepting responsibility on behalf of its client. The insurer may even offer you a settlement right away, saying it is better to come to a conclusion quickly.
If your injuries leave you unable to immediately document your medical condition, a Biloxi drowsiness accident lawyer may be able to help you gather and present the evidence in your case through other methods.
If you agree to accept a settlement before speaking with an attorney, however, you cannot request more money later. Even if you discover new injuries after the case is settled, you cannot seek additional compensation for new expenses. For this reason, we advise taking your time regarding a settlement. It is important to understand the full extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life and health in the future before agreeing to accept anything from the opposing party.
Determining a Fair Settlement Amount
One of the complicated parts of receiving a settlement in a personal injury case is determining a fair amount to request. When you are experiencing a long recovery time, it can be difficult to know what kinds of medical bills you will be facing in the future. It also may take time to know if you will be able to work in the same capacity you did before the accident.
A Biloxi drowsiness accident lawyer will have the ability to study your medical reports and your prognosis, factoring both of these losses into your case value. If you are going to have a significantly reduced quality of life, you can seek compensation.
At the Morris Bart law firm, our team can help you identify the liable party in an accident, establish a fair case value, and manage the process of your claim from beginning to end. We are ready to defend your right to pursue a settlement offer from the insurance company representing the fatigued driver.
Call us today for a free review of your case at (228) 357-9621.
Questions?Call (228) 357-9621
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
