Driving while fatigued in Wisconsin might not sound like a dangerous activity. In fact, many people do it every morning when they get up and go to work. It might be common, but fatigued driving is still responsible for hundreds of car accidents every year. Research has shown that driving while you’re tired can be just as bad as driving under the influence.
Why to avoid driving when you’re tired
Have you ever noticed how you feel when you’re tired? Your brain is foggy, and you find it hard to concentrate. You might feel irritable and take everything personally. You might also experience physical effects like yawning, rubbing your eyes and finding it difficult to keep your eyes open. Worse still, you might nod off when you’re trying to go about your day.
If you’re sitting in the office, feeling tired can be a minor inconvenience. But if you’re on the road when you’re tired, you could easily be involved in a motor vehicle accident. A simple drive to work could end in accidents, injuries and personal lawsuits.
To avoid driving while fatigued, make sure you get up early enough that you’ll be awake and alert when you walk out the door. If you’re traveling long distances, make sure you drive during the day and find a place to stay at night so that you’re not forcing yourself to drive when you’d normally be asleep. If possible, bring a passenger who can occasionally take over driving responsibilities.
What to do if you’re involved in a car accident
If you’re involved in a wreck, it’s recommended that you stay on the scene until the police arrive and don’t say anything that suggests you were at fault. After getting yourself checked out at the hospital, you may want to hire an attorney to help you deal with the insurance companies.