Driver Fatigue Motorcycle Accidents

When you’re tired, you don’t always think about how that might affect your ability to do certain things, like operate a vehicle. However, driver fatigue has been shown to be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Motorcyclists are especially at risk for injuries and accidents associated with such, as riding a motorcycle not only requires mental attentiveness, but also more physical ability than that of operating a standard-sized vehicle. Driver fatigue motorcycle accidents are all too common and can result in some of the most devastating injuries to riders as well as others. Miami motorcycle accident lawyer Robert Dixon can help you determine your next legal step in the aftermath of this type of collision. Whether you were injured as a driver, passenger, or other party, you may have a claim against those responsible for your harm. The Law Offices of Robert Dixon serves people across South Florida, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties in personal injury and wrongful death suits arising out of motorcycle accidents. If you have questions regarding your legal rights or options, contact our office today to speak with an attorney to find out more about our services.

According to the National Safety Council, in 2017, 5,172 motorcycle riders and passengers were victims of fatal crashes. Operating a motorcycle takes more physical as well as mental stamina than operating a standard sized passenger vehicle. On long trips especially, even the most experienced motorcyclists must prepare physically for the muscle strain that riding a motorcycle for extended periods of time yields. Without rest breaks, or if a rider gets on a motorcycle while already tired, motorcyclists greatly increase their likelihood of being involved in collisions caused by fatigue.

Similar to the effects of alcohol, fatigue has a significant impact on a driver’s ability to react and judge a situation on the road. Fatigued drivers can respond slower and miscalculate distances between themselves and others, and may even fall asleep behind the wheel. Motorcyclists are at greater risk of permanent injuries such as brain trauma or paralysis when involved in a crash with another driver. Additionally, either a motorcyclist or another driver can contribute to an accident by being overly tired. Unfortunately, there are no specific tests to determine whether fatigue was a factor in an accident, but evidence such as an accident’s time of day, whether a driver works irregular hours, or the time it took for a driver to brake in an accident can play a role in making this determination.

If a driver operates a motorcycle or other vehicle while overly tired and causes an accident, that driver can be held accountable for negligence. Negligence is present when one motorist breaches his or her duty to act as a reasonable or prudent person would under similar circumstances. Therefore, if a driver spends inordinate time on the road without taking proper rest breaks, leading to a collision, that driver could be found negligent. Additionally, more than one party could be held responsible for another’s injuries. For example, even if a fatigued motorcyclist contributes to causing his or her own injuries, if another driver is also acting negligently, for instance, by being distracted by a phone – that driver would be held accountable for his or her own negligent actions as well. Victims injured in motorcycle crashes can be awarded compensation for medical costs, loss of income, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering damages.

Motorcyclists are at a higher risk of fatigue-related accidents than other motorists, and the injuries that accompany these accidents are often severe. Motorcycle accident attorney Robert Dixon of the Law Offices of Robert Dixon assists injured victims in dealing with insurance companies as well as pursuing proper personal injury claims arising from these types of collisions. Our firm also helps families who have lost loved ones in a devastating fatal accident. If you have been injured or someone you love has passed as a result of a driver fatigue motorcycle accident, please call 877.499.4878 or contact us online today to set up a free, no obligation consultation and find out more about how we can help.