Davis Law Group, P.S.

• One injured in Tacoma accident
• Motor vehicle collision caused by falling asleep at wheel

Date: October 6, 2011, 10/06/2011

Location: Tacoma, Washington

Type: Motor vehicle collision

Outcome: One injured
 

Around 2:30 a.m. while driving west on State Route 164 near Southeast 400th Street, a 42-year-old fell asleep at the wheel and veered off the roadway, striking a power pole. 
 

The driver was taken to Auburn Valley Medical Center for treatment.
 

Washington State Patrol is investigating the accident and charges may be pending.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually involve drowsiness and/or fatigue as a principal causal factor. Those crashes result in an estimated 1,500 fatalities and 71,000 injuries each year, and an annual monetary loss of approximately $12.5 billion. More than 10 percent of drivers admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel, while more than 20 percent say they have momentarily dozed while driving, according to the study of 1,024 drivers.

•     Continuously yawning, day-dreaming, or wandering in the lane
•     Your reactions unintentionally speeding up or slowing down.
•     Eyes feel stiff or heavy and you find your thoughts are unfocused
•     Your car wanders over the center line or off the edge of the road

•     Avoiding driver fatigue on long trips.
•     Drivers should give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations and schedule in regular breaks.
•     For long trips plan in advance so you know where you are going to take a break.
•     Take a break at least every 2 hours.
•     Plan to stay somewhere overnight if you are going on a long journey.
•     Share the driving - and make sure to take rest when you are not driving.
•     Try not to drive when you would normally be asleep (early mornings and late nights.)
•     Caffeine provides a quick, but short-lived improvement in alertness. So, to capitalize on its benefits, one should use it only when a boost is needed.
•     Drink water, eat fruit and healthy snacks rather than fatty and sugary food.

A motor vehicle accident is when a road vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, road debris, or man-made object.  These collisions can result in personal injury, property damage, or death.  Motor vehicle accidents can involve automobiles, trucks, semi or tractor trailer trucks, delivery vehicles, passenger vans, motorcycles, etc.  Contributing factors in traffic accidents can be vehicle design, speed of operation, road design, driver distraction (texting or talking on a cell phone while driving), and driver impairment (drunk driving). If you or a family member has suffered as the result of a car accident in Washington state,  Seattle motor vehicle accident attorney Chris Davis and the Davis Law Group, P.S. can help you.  We are committed to helping car accident, trucking accident, DUI accident, and motorcycle accident victims recover the just and fair compensation they are entitled to receive under the law.