While just about everyone knows that driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs can be dangerous, not everyone is aware that driving while extremely tired is equally likely to cause wrecks under many circumstances. Because driving while tired is not illegal in the same way that drunk driving is, filing a civil lawsuit over a drowsy/fatigued driver car accident in DC does not work the same way as a claim over a drunk driving crash does. That, among many other reasons, is why it can be so important to get help from a skilled car accident lawyer as soon as possible after getting hurt in a wreck caused by a drowsy driver.
Virtually every successful car accident lawsuit in the District of Columbia and across the United States is built around the legal theory of negligence. Under this theory, holding someone else legally at fault for a personal injury requires proving that they directly caused that injury through a specific breach of a duty of care—which, for motor vehicle drivers, is a duty to act lawfully and responsibly at all times behind the wheel.
Drowsy driving often qualifies as a breach of duty since extreme fatigue can impair judgment, reaction time, and awareness to a dangerous degree, just like intoxication from alcohol or drugs can. However, while a breath or blood test can objectively show someone is legally intoxicated, proving that someone was fatigued behind the wheel prior to a DC car crash is often a more complex endeavor involving evidence like witness testimony and surveillance/dashboard camera footage.
In addition to assisting with the collection and presentation of evidence showing that another driver caused an accident in DC through drowsy or fatigued driving, a qualified legal professional can also help demand comprehensive compensation for all damages stemming from that wreck. This can include both economic and non-economic forms of harm like:
Perhaps most importantly, legal counsel can help build and file the strongest possible claim within the deadline set by the statute of limitations. As per D.C. Code § 12-301, anyone who waits longer than three years to file suit after initially sustaining a personal injury will be permanently barred from ever seeking compensation for that injury. There are no exceptions and very few scenarios where extensions to the filing deadline are allowed.
Even if someone does their best to drive safely and follow all the rules of the road, they may still be a danger to themselves and everyone around them if they get behind the wheel while extremely tired. If you are dealing with injuries from a crash caused by a fatigued driver, you may have grounds to take legal action against them and demand civil restitution for the harm you have unfairly sustained.
If you want to get the best possible result from your unique claim, you will want to get a dependable legal representative on your side sooner rather than later. Call Price Benowitz today to discuss your options following a drowsy/fatigued driver car accident in DC.
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