Waking up to a car accident claim

It is a surprising statistic to learn that only one in 20 car crashes are considered to be no-fault accidents. This means that those involved in these car crashes find it almost impossible to make a car accident claim for compensation.

It is even more surprising to learn that four in 20 car accidents are caused by a driver falling asleep at the wheel of a vehicle. In these cases, for people who've suffered personal injury as a result of the sleeping driver there is a clear case for making a car accident claim for compensation.

Who is the most likely to be at risk of having a car accident claim for compensation being made against them?
The simple and, unfortunately, predictable answer is young men. Usually under 30 years old, this age/gender group have a large proportion of car accident claims for sleeping at the wheel made against them.

They are the group most likely to be involved in a car accident claim resulting from a crash in the early morning after a night of little or no sleep.

Mike, now 29-years-old, was involved in a car accident four years ago after falling asleep at the wheel and said, "I guess it could be said that I was burning the candle at both ends. I'd been out the night before the car accident and had had a bit to drink. I'd only slept for before I had to get up for work.

I'd done it a hundred times before. But this time it was different. I dropped off at the wheel. I still remember the feeling. I just let go. It was like being a child again, drifting off cosily in the back seat of a car. There was no reality to it."

But Mike was soon woken into a disturbing reality. "I don't really remember the car accident. But I remember coming-to in the hospital. I had severe whiplash injuries and for a while suffered memory impairment. Before long the driver of the car I hit had his insurers come round. He'd suffered a spinal injury and was making a car accident claim against me."

Now Mike has a very sober view about driving when tired, "No one should do it. I always thought I'd be alright. It didn't even cross my mind that I was a danger to myself and others. But at the car accident claim hearing I had it driven home to me just how foolish I'd been. If my words can inform anyone then that's great, but I don't think you ever really know until you've paid the price."

Tiredness at the wheel and car accident claims
It is not only falling asleep at the wheel that opens you to a potential car accident claim; tiredness too can impair judgement and greatly reduce response times.

Research has found that people driving company cars are more likely to be involved in a car accident and a resultant car accident claim as a consequence of tiredness. What's more, these road accidents are more likely to result in a serious personal injury such as severe whiplash because a tired driver's response time is so effected they cannot react in a way that is likely to reduce the seriousness of a car accident.

Advice for avoiding car accident claims as a result of tiredness
The RAC offer advice offer advice to tired drivers for avoiding car accidents and resultant car accident claims:

If you're tired, having a short 15-20 minute sleep in a safe place will help avoid a car accident and a potential car accident claim.

Drinking a strong caffeine drink and taking a short break to allow it to take effect will lessen your tiredness and reduce your chances of being in a car accident and a potential car accident claim.

Two common remedies: opening the window or turning up the radio, actually do very little and will not reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident and a potential car accident claim.

Avoiding long journeys between the hours of midnight and 6am, when the body's natural alertness is at its lowest, will help reduce the risk of a car accident and a resultant car accident claim.

If you are making a long journey then planning for 15 minute breaks every two hours will help reduce your risk of a car accident and a resultant car accident claim.

If you have to wake unusually early to begin your journey or have a lengthy drive home after a long days work, being fully aware of the risks is a help in avoiding a car accident and a potential car accident claim.

Making a no win, no fee car accident claim
If you have suffered personal injuries in a car accident through no fault of your own then you are entitled to make a compensation claim.

Making a no win, no fee car accident claim with our team of personal injury solicitors represents your best chance of receiving just compensation. They have an excellent success rate in dealing with car accident claims, so will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to your case.

There is absolutely no risk in using our services as, win or lose, you will not have to spend a penny in the claims process. If you win, you keep 100% of your compensation claim cheque, and in the event of you being unsuccessful in your car accident claim you will not have to spend a penny either as we take out an insurance policy on your behalf covering you for all eventualities.

So if you would like advice and information on your claim get in touch with us today. We are available 24 hours a day. You can fill out an online claim form now from the comfort of your own desk, request a call back from one of our legal advisors at a time that is convenient to you or, alternatively, you can call and speak with one of our claims team now on 0808 143 43 42.