Prevent Texas Car Accidents & Injuries: Know The Signs Of Fatigue

This week we covered the story of a Corpus Christi teen who allegedly caused a three-vehicle accident and sent four people to the hospital after he fell asleep at the wheel and drifted out of his lane and across the double yellow centerline. The young man was fatigued after an all-day fishing trip with friends.

Texas traffic accidents that involve fatigued driving and driving while tired somehow don’t seem as malicious or illegal as driving while intoxicated or driving recklessly, but the consequences of driving while sleepy can be just as serious and sometimes deadly.

Luckily, driving while fatigued is easy to prevent if you know the major signs of fatigue:

• Your mind wanders.
• You have disconnected thoughts or lose your train of thought.
• You have trouble concentrating on the road.
• You find yourself drifting out of your lane.
• You have trouble keeping a consistent speed.
• You experience “micro sleep” and find yourself jerking awake.
• You have trouble keeping still in your seat.
• You have difficulty focusing your eyes.
• You begin to see things.
• You repeatedly hit the rumble strip on the shoulder of the road.
• Your head begins to nod forward.
• You are taking longer and longer blinks.
• Your eyes are tired.
• You become hypnotized by the road.
• You suddenly realize you can’t remember the last few minutes of driving.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, pull over and take a break – it could save a life. Walk around, drink a cup of coffee, and take a 15 minute nap. Even better, stop for the night and continue your journey in the morning.

Those who have been injured in a Texas car accident caused by a sleepy driver may be owed compensation. If you would like to seek damages after such an accident, talk to a Houston personal injury attorney today.

Want to read more about what to do after a Texas traffic accident that wasn’t your fault? Download our free report, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Texas Car Accident Case.