Drowsy Driving Accidents in Oklahoma City

Drowsy driving is a serious threat on Oklahoma roads. Like alcohol or drug impairment, fatigue slows reaction time, clouds judgment, and can cause devastating accidents. With long commutes and busy highways linking urban and rural areas, Oklahoma drivers face an increased risk of fatigue-related accidents.

These accidents often lead to serious injuries and fatalities. At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our team understands how complex these cases can be, and we’re dedicated to helping Oklahoma City victims hold neglectfully fatigued drivers accountable and get the compensation they need to recover.

What Are Drowsy Driving Accidents?

Drowsy driving accidents occur when a driver operates a vehicle while experiencing fatigue to the point of impairment. This impairment can manifest in various ways, affecting a driver’s ability to perceive hazards, react promptly, maintain lane control, and make safe decisions.

Unlike accidents caused by speeding or distracted driving, drowsy driving accidents often lack pre-collision braking or evasive maneuvers, resulting in more severe impact and injuries for those involved. Recognizing the factors that contribute to drowsy driving and understanding its potential consequences are the first steps in preventing these tragedies.

Causes of Drowsy Driving

Several factors can contribute to a driver becoming dangerously fatigued behind the wheel:

Sleep deprivation: Insufficient sleep is the most common cause of drowsy driving. Adults should get 7-9 hours a night to function optimally. Chronic sleep loss greatly impairs cognitive and motor functions.
Shift work or long hours: Individuals working irregular shifts, overnight hours, or extended workdays often struggle to get a healthy amount of sleep, leading to chronic fatigue.
Medications or sleep disorders: Certain medications, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, and some antidepressants, can cause drowsiness. Undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders like sleep apnea and narcolepsy can also lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and increase the risk of drowsy driving.
Alcohol or sedative use: Even small amounts of alcohol can exacerbate fatigue and impair the driver significantly. Sedatives and other medications that induce relaxation can have a similar effect, making it dangerous to operate a vehicle.
Comparison to drunk driving impairment levels: Studies have shown that being awake for 17 hours can result in an impairment level equivalent to a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%, while being awake for 24 hours can equate to a BAC of 0.10%, exceeding Oklahoma’s legal limit for driving under the influence. This highlights just how serious driving while severely fatigued can truly be.

Why Residents of OKC Should Be Aware of Drowsy Drivers

Oklahoma City’s rural-to-urban commuting patterns make drivers especially vulnerable to drowsy driving accidents. Many residents travel long distances from rural areas into the city for work, often driving on long and monotonous highways during early mornings or late evenings. These are prime times for fatigue to overwhelm drivers. Add major interstates like I-35, I-40, and I-44 that converge in Oklahoma City, carrying heavy commuter and commercial traffic, and it can be a recipe for disaster. These long, uninterrupted stretches of road can cause drivers to lose focus or become drowsy.

While local statistics vary, drowsy driving remains a recognized traffic safety concern across Oklahoma, prompting public awareness campaigns and law enforcement attention to the risks it poses.

Oklahoma Demographics at Highest Risk for Drowsy Driving

The following professions and demographics in Oklahoma City face a heightened risk of drowsy driving due to their work schedules and lifestyles:

Oil field workers with extended shifts: The oil and gas industry is a huge part of Oklahoma’s economy, and workers often work long shifts. These physically demanding shifts increase their risk of driving while fatigued after work.
Long-haul truckers passing through OKC’s major interstate junctions: Oklahoma City is a major transportation hub, and numerous long-haul truckers pass through the state on I-35, I-40, and I-44. Federal regulations mandate limits on driving hours, but fatigue can still be a factor, especially when drivers are under pressure to meet deadlines.
Healthcare professionals at Oklahoma City’s medical centers: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in OKC often work long and crazy hours, including overnight shifts and even multiple shifts. This makes them especially susceptible to fatigue-related driving accidents after physically and emotionally demanding work periods.
College students from OU, OCU, and other area schools: Students often juggle demanding academic schedules, part-time jobs, and social lives, leading to sleep deprivation and an increased risk of drowsy driving, particularly during late-night commutes or when heading out to early classes.
Shift workers at OKC’s manufacturing and distribution centers: Oklahoma City has a significant manufacturing and distribution sector. Many employees in these fields work rotating or night shifts. These irregular schedules disrupt natural sleep patterns and increase the likelihood of drowsy driving accidents.

How to Recognize Signs of Drowsy Driving When You’re on the Road

Recognizing the signs of drowsy driving—both in yourself and other drivers—is key to staying safe on Oklahoma roads. If you’re behind the wheel and notice you’re yawning a lot, struggling to keep your eyes open, or drifting between lanes, please pull over and rest before continuing. Even brief “microsleeps” are deceptive, and they often happen before you even realize you’re that tired.

As far as looking out for signs of fatigue in other drivers, watch for swerving, inconsistent speeds, or drifting toward the shoulder. Notice these red flags and maintain a safe distance from these vehicles.

It’s critical that you take fatigue seriously, because it can sneak up on you and cloud your judgment. It’s better to arrive late than not at all.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Drowsy Driving Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver in Oklahoma City, it’s essential to seek legal guidance from experienced personal injury attorneys like Parrish DeVaughn. These cases require through investigation and a solid understanding of Oklahoma’s traffic and negligence laws.

Legal Aspects of Drowsy Driving Cases in Oklahoma

There’s no law specifically banning drowsy driving, but it can still be considered negligence if a driver allows fatigue to impair them. All drivers are legally obligated to operate their vehicles safely and falling asleep or driving while significantly fatigued breaches that duty.

It’s important to note that Oklahoma also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re found partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your share of the blame. However, if you’re 51% or more at fault, you won’t be able to recover any damages. That’s why having our experienced lawyers on the case is so critical. We can defend you against unfair fault assessments and protect your claim.

Another way to protect your claim is to not wait too long to file a legal claim. The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Oklahoma is two years from the date of the accident. If you miss that deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation. Acting quickly gives your legal team the best chance to build a strong case on your behalf.

Common Injuries in OKC Drowsy Driving Accidents

The severity of injuries in drowsy driving accidents can be significant because of the complete lack of evasive driving and braking. Some serious injuries we see commonly here at our firm include:

Traumatic brain injuries: These can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering brain damage, impacting cognitive function, behavior, and physical abilities.
Spinal cord damage and paralysis: Severe impacts can cause fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae, leading to partial or complete loss of motor function and sensation below the injury site.
Broken bones and orthopedic injuries: Fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis are common in car accidents, often requiring surgery, physical therapy, and a lengthy recovery.
Internal organ damage: The force of a collision can cause damage to internal organs, such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, or lungs, requiring immediate medical intervention.
Long-term psychological trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims of drowsy driving accidents may experience significant emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, requiring ongoing mental health support.

Potential Compensation for Drowsy Driving Victims

If you’ve been injured by a drowsy driver, you’ll need to seek significant compensation to cover many unforeseen costs, including:

Medical expenses and ongoing treatment: This includes past, present, and future medical bills related to your injuries, such as hospital stays, doctor’s visits, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity: You can recover compensation for income lost and any reduction in your ability to earn going forward.
Pain and suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the accident and your injuries.
Property damage: If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you are entitled to compensation for repair or replacement costs.
Punitive damages in extreme cases: In cases where the drowsy driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the driver and prevent similar behavior in the future.

How Parrish DeVaughn Fights for Car Accident Victims in Oklahoma City

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we are committed to helping victims of drowsy driving accidents in Oklahoma City get the justice and compensation they deserve. These cases can be complex, but our clients can count on our team’s experience uncovering signs of fatigue and neglect.

Here’s what you can expect from our team:

Thorough investigations using police reports, witness statements, and expert analysis
Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies to protect your rights and push for fair settlements
Evidence gathering to prove driver fatigue, including sleep patterns and driving logs
Strategic advice on whether to settle or go to trial, based on what’s best for your case
Laser-focused on maximum compensation by accurately assessing your current and future losses

Drowsy Driving Accident FAQs

How do you prove the other driver was drowsy? Proving drowsiness involves gathering evidence such as police reports, witness testimony about erratic driving, review of work logs (for commercial drivers), and potentially expert testimony on the effects of fatigue.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident? Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your fault is not 51% or more. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How long will my case take to resolve? The timeline for resolving a drowsy driving accident case varies. It depends on the complexity of the case, the severity of your injuries, and whether a settlement can be reached or a trial is necessary.

Do I have to go to court for a drowsy driving accident claim? Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations without the need for a trial. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to represent you in court.

Can I still recover damages if the drowsy driver doesn’t have insurance? If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to recover damages through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if you have it. Our attorneys can help you figure this out.

Contact Our Oklahoma City Drowsy Driving Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drowsy driving accident in Oklahoma City, contact our team and they can help preserve crucial evidence that allows us to begin building your case immediately. We offer a free initial consultation and are available 24/7 to take your call and provide the support you need during this challenging time. As an Oklahoma City firm, we know how to fight for the rights of accident victims in our community— and we’re ready to fight for you.