New Haven Drowsy Driving Accidents
Imagine that you are driving home after a long day when a car drifts into your lane without warning. There’s no time to react—the impact sends your vehicle spinning. When police arrive, the other driver admits they “must have dozed off” for a second. That one second changed everything.
Drowsy driving crashes happen more often than most people realize in New Haven, and when they do, the results can be devastating. If you have been hurt because another driver chose to get behind the wheel while exhausted, you deserve compensation for the harm you have suffered. Contact our New Haven car accident attorneys and schedule your free consultation today.
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving in New Haven
Drowsy driving impairs your ability to operate a vehicle just as significantly as alcohol or drugs. When you are exhausted, your reaction time slows, your judgment suffers, and your ability to pay attention to the road diminishes. In severe cases, drivers experience micro sleeps, or brief episodes where they essentially black out for several seconds while their car continues moving at full speed.
On New Haven’s busy streets, even a momentary lapse can result in a serious collision. Fatigued drivers may drift between lanes, fail to notice traffic signals, miss stop signs entirely, or rear-end vehicles that have slowed or stopped ahead of them. The danger intensifies during early morning hours and late at night when the body’s natural rhythms make staying alert even more difficult.
Warning Signs of a Fatigued Driver
You might be able to identify a drowsy driver before they cause an accident if you know what to look for. Watch for drivers who display these behaviors:
- Drifting between lanes or onto the shoulder
- Frequent, erratic braking without an apparent reason
- Inconsistent speed without traffic conditions warranting the changes
- Delayed reactions to traffic signals or road hazards
- Tailgating, or following other vehicles too closely
How to Prove Driver Fatigue in Your Accident New Haven Claim
In Connecticut, drivers who cause accidents due to fatigue can be held liable for the injuries and damages they cause. You have the right to file a lawsuit or an insurance claim against the responsible motorist. However, proving that drowsiness played a role requires thorough investigation and compelling evidence.
A New Haven car accident attorney can help you uncover this vital information. They can:
- Examine cell phone records to show the driver was awake at unusual hours
- Review work schedules that demonstrate they had been on duty for extended shifts
- Obtain testimony from passengers or witnesses who observed signs of fatigue
- Analyze the accident scene to identify characteristics typical of drowsy driving crashes, such as a complete lack of skid marks, indicating the driver never attempted to brake
- Assess medical records, truck driver logbooks, and expert testimony to establish that the at-fault driver was operating their vehicle in an unsafe, sleep-deprived state
Contact a New Haven Car Accident Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured by a fatigued driver in New Haven, you need attorneys who understand how to prove drowsy driving and hold negligent motorists accountable. Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante has the experience and resources to investigate your case thoroughly, from examining the driver’s work schedules and phone records to consulting with accident reconstruction experts. Contact us at (203) 333-3333 today for a free consultation and trust our New Haven car accident lawyers to fight for your recovery.