Fatigued Corpus Christi Driver Causes Car Accident, Injuries

This week in Corpus Christi, Texas, a fatigued teen driver fell asleep at the wheel, drifted from his lane, and slammed into an oncoming pickup truck and damaged a third vehicle. According to a local news station, the young man was returning with some friends from a fishing trip when he nodded off while driving. The three-car accident injured four people, all of whom were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.

This Corpus Christi car accident is a somber reminder of how dangerous driving while tired is. Even though these teens were following the rules of the road, not driving under the influence, and not driving recklessly, they were returning from a long day and hadn’t rested properly before making the trip home.

When driving after a trip or vacation, there are certain steps you should take to prevent falling asleep at the wheel:

•    Don’t drive for more than two hours or longer than 100 miles without taking a break.
•    If you are traveling with a group, designate a co-pilot to stay awake and alert with the driver.
•    Try not to drive late at night or early in the morning – this is when most fatigued driver accidents occur.
•    If you are taking a long day trip, consider stopping for the night and resting before returning home.
•    Realize that many “tricks” for staying awake while driving, such as rolling down the window or turning up the radio – do not work as well as stopping and resting.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a Texas car accident that could have involved a sleepy driver or falling asleep at the wheel? If so, it is important that you speak with a Corpus Christi personal injury attorney about the particulars of your case.