Common injuries that occur in sleepy driving accidents

On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

Like many other driving hazards, operating a motor vehicle while feeling less than alert or sleepy is extremely dangerous. Besides the risks of drivers’ impeding traffic, having collisions or sustaining injuries, other motorists and pedestrians on the roads are in danger as well. 

There are ways to combat driver fatigue. However, driving while drowsy is not always unavoidable for some motorists. Vehicle operators should learn about the following types of injuries that often occur in drowsy driving accidents. 

Broken bones

The forces and objects at work during motor vehicle collisions often are enough to break and fracture bones, especially in the upper and lower extremities. Victims who end up with broken or fracture injuries require immediate medical treatment, and in some cases, ongoing medical therapy to combat the trauma and improve recovery outcome. 

Paralysis

Temporary or permanent paralysis is common in drowsy driving accidents. The impact of force and penetrating objects can damage the spinal cord, head and various areas of the body, leading to torn or bruised nerves, ligaments, tendons and muscles and other issues that interfere with the body’s ability to communicate with the brain and function. 

Death

Unfortunately, death is common in many types of collisions, especially those involving drowsy motorists. Not all accident fatalities occur right away. It is not uncommon for accident victims to end up with seemingly minor or mild injuries that later progress to more severe trauma that ultimately results in death. For example, soft tissue trauma like brain injuries can result in a loss of bodily function that results in an untimely demise. 

Car accidents can happen anytime. However, incidents that stem from drowsy driving are more common in shift workers, truck drivers, and motorists who use medications or suffer from certain ailments. Lifestyle adjustments and actively staying alert can help to decrease the likelihood of sleepy motorists on the roads.

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