Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX

If you’ve been injured in a Houston car accident, the driver who hit you might have been driving while drowsy. Even if they were legally “sober” when the accident occurred, driving without being able to focus on the road is a sign of negligence, and an attorney can help you determine your legal options for recovery.

Our law firm helps people who are hurting because someone else made a mistake. That includes someone who chose to drive when they were too tired to focus on the road.

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our Houston car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling complicated injury cases involving driver tiredness and fatigue. Contact us today to learn how we can build compelling cases that demonstrate negligence and secure maximum compensation for our clients.

What is Drowsy Driving?

Drowsy driving is a serious and often underestimated danger on Houston’s busy roads and highways. When drivers get behind the wheel while exhausted or sleep-deprived, their reaction times slow, judgment becomes impaired, and they may even fall asleep entirely, causing devastating accidents.

Studies show that:

• Staying awake for 18 hours produces impairment equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 percent
• Being awake for 24 hours is comparable to a BAC of 0.10 percent, which exceeds the legal limit for intoxication

When drivers experience driving drowsiness, they suffer from slowed reaction times, reduced attention and awareness, impaired decision-making, and decreased ability to process information. In severe cases, drivers may experience microsleeps, brief episodes lasting just a few seconds in which they lose consciousness, meaning they are sleeping and driving. At highway speeds, a vehicle can travel a long distance during a microsleep, making these “asleep at the wheel” episodes particularly deadly.

Anyone injured in a car accident in Houston should contact our car crash lawyers to investigate possible drowsy driving, impaired driving, distracted driving, or other causes.

Common Causes of Drowsy Driving Accidents in Houston

Some causes of falling asleep at the wheel include:

• Work schedules and shift work
• Commercial truck driving
• Ride-share (Uber and Lyft) driving for long periods of time
• Long commutes
• Medical conditions
• Medications
• Alcohol and substance use

No matter the cause of drowsiness, negligent drivers can be held liable for any harm they cause in motor vehicle crashes.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Drowsy Driving Accident That Injured Me?

The fatigued driver usually has the primary responsibility for choosing to operate a vehicle while sleep-deprived. Texas law recognizes drowsy driving as negligent behavior when drivers knew or should have known they were too tired to drive safely.

Our attorneys also explore whether other parties may share legal liability in a drowsy-driving accident claim. For example, when employees cause drowsy driving accidents while working, their employers may share liability for the employee’s negligence. Further, some trucking companies even pressure drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, leading to serious traffic safety violations and liability.

What Victims Should Do After a Drowsy Driving Accident in Houston

Taking the right steps after a fatigued driving accident protects your health and strengthens your legal claim. First, even if you feel fine, get evaluated by medical professionals. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, and prompt medical documentation links your injuries to the accident.

Always report the accident and ensure officers document the scene. Police reports provide crucial evidence for your drowsy driving case. Don’t admit fault or apologize at the scene, and be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters. Anything you say can be used to minimize your compensation.

Consult experienced legal counsel as soon as possible. Early involvement of our car accident attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs helps preserve evidence, prevent mistakes that could harm your claim, and advise against low settlement offers.

How Can Our Firm Help Victims of Drowsy Driving Crashes?

As a personal injury law firm, we are proud to help those who have been hurt by the negligent actions of others. We provide comprehensive legal representation for drowsy driving accident victims throughout Houston. Our services include:

Thorough Investigation

We investigate your accident by obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, reviewing driver logs and employment records, analyzing cell phone data and GPS records, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts to establish exactly how the crash occurred.

Proving Drowsy Driving

Demonstrating that the other driver was fatigued requires specific evidence. We gather testimony from witnesses who observed erratic driving, medical records showing sleep disorders or medications causing drowsiness, work schedules proving the driver did not have enough sleep, and expert opinions on fatigue’s effects on driving ability.

Handling Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts by disputing fault or downplaying injuries. We handle all communications with insurers, counter their tactics, and negotiate aggressively for fair settlements.

If insurance companies refuse to offer adequate compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and the resources to present compelling cases to juries.

Compensation Available For Victims of Drowsy Driving Car Accidents

People hit by drowsy drivers can seek compensation for various damages, including:

• Medical expenses for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future medical care
• Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery
• Lost earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment
• Pain and suffering for physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries
• Possible punitive damages in cases involving particularly reckless behavior

The specific compensation available in your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of the other driver’s fault, and the insurance coverage and assets of the liable parties. Our drowsy driving accident lawyers work to maximize your recovery by thoroughly documenting all damages and aggressively pursuing all available compensation sources.

Drowsy Driving Accident FAQs

Can I still hire an attorney for my car accident claim if I was hit by someone who just didn’t sleep enough?

Yes. If someone was drowsy enough to fall asleep behind the wheel, they should not have been driving. When a driver ignores their responsibility to drive safely, and this choice results in an accident that harms you, you have the right to hire an attorney to help set things right.

What if the person who hit my car had nodded off because it was the middle of the night, but hadn’t consumed alcohol or drugs?

Even if the driver was completely sober at the time of the accident, they could still be held responsible for their negligent choice to drive while drowsy. Fatigued driving can delay response times, impair judgment, and result in “microsleeps,” in which drivers are driving without looking at the road. Driving while sleep impaired can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

How common are drowsy driving accidents in Houston?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving causes approximately 100,000 crashes annually nationwide, resulting in about 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries. In Houston, drowsy driving contributes to a substantial number of accidents each year due to heavy traffic, long commutes, and a significant presence of commercial trucks, though actual numbers are likely underreported.

Is driving while sleepy considered negligence in Texas?

Yes, driving while sleepy constitutes negligence in Texas when a driver knew or should have known they were too fatigued to operate a vehicle safely. When a drowsy driver causes an accident resulting in injuries or property damage, they can be held liable for breaching their duty of care to other road users.

How do I prove the other driver was drowsy?

Proving drowsy driving requires gathering evidence, such as witness testimony describing erratic driving, police reports noting the driver’s fatigued appearance or admissions of tiredness, cell phone records, work schedules showing inadequate rest, and medical records documenting sleep disorders or drowsiness-causing medications. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we conduct thorough investigations to gather this evidence and build compelling cases proving the other driver’s drowsiness caused your accident.

Contact Our Houston Drowsy Driving Accident Lawyers for Help

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a drowsy driver in Houston, don’t wait to seek legal help. Evidence can disappear quickly, and Texas law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. The experienced drowsy driving accident lawyers at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. Our Houston drowsy driving accident lawyers can protect your rights and pursue justice on your behalf.