In the last 5 years, over 1,000 people have died in crashes caused by tired drivers
Texas leads the nation in drowsy driving accidents, according to a recent study cited by KTSA News. Sadly, this finding comes as no surprise to traffic safety experts or to our San Antonio drowsy driving accident lawyers at The Herrera Law Firm.
“If you’re too tired to drive, pull over safely. The life you save could be your own,” says Drive Safe Texas, a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) program. That message is simple but powerful, especially in a state where fatigue-related crashes take such a heavy toll.
How serious is the problem in Texas?
The numbers tell the story. Over the past five years, 1,071 people have been killed in Texas crashes caused by tired drivers, according to KTSA News. That means nearly 4 percent of all fatal crashes in the state involve driver fatigue.
The same study gave Texas a “tired driving accident score” of 59, the worst in the nation. To put that in perspective, the other highest-scoring states were in the 30s.
A growing danger on our roads
The situation is getting worse. Between 2016 and 2020, Texas had three times more fatal drowsy driving crashes than any other state, according to ValuePenguin. In recent years, TxDOT data shows the percentage of Texas traffic deaths involving fatigue has climbed from around 2 percent to roughly 6 percent.
What contributes to tired driving?
Several factors contribute to the high number of tired driving crashes in the Lone Star State, including:
- Long driving distances: Hours behind the wheel between cities or across rural stretches increase the risk of fatigue.
- Drunk driving: Texas leads the nation in alcohol-related fatalities. Drunk drivers are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel.
- Distraction fatigue: Congested roads, work zones, and excessive phone use can mentally exhaust drivers more quickly.
- Shift work: Jobs in industries like oil, gas, and trucking often require irregular hours, leaving drivers dangerously sleep-deprived.
No matter the cause, victims of drowsy driving crashes have legal rights. Speaking with a Texas drowsy driving accident lawyer as soon as possible can make all the difference in protecting those rights and building a strong case.
How fatigue makes crashes deadly
Fatigue slows reaction times, clouds judgment, and makes it harder to stay alert. Microsleep — moments when a driver unintentionally falls asleep for a few seconds — can happen without warning. At highway speeds, those seconds are all it takes for a catastrophic crash.
Common factors in drowsy driving accidents include:
- No braking before impact, making collisions more severe
- Drifting into oncoming traffic and causing head-on crashes
- Missing traffic signals or failing to stop at intersections
- Poor control in emergency situations
- Weaving between lanes or veering onto the shoulder
Even if a driver feels “just a little tired,” their ability to drive safely is compromised. Choosing to continue driving instead of stopping to rest is a dangerous decision, and when it results in a crash, the driver should be held accountable.
Fatigued truckers are also a problem
In Texas, large trucks play a major role in the state’s economy, moving goods across long distances every day. But those long hours on the road can push truck drivers past their limits. Federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules set strict limits on how long a commercial driver can operate before taking a break, yet fatigue remains a leading cause of serious truck accidents.
When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer collides with a smaller passenger vehicle, the outcome is often catastrophic. Fatigued truck drivers may drift into other lanes, fail to brake in time, or misjudge traffic conditions, all of which can lead to devastating crashes.
Investigating a truck accident involving fatigue requires a careful review of logbooks, electronic logging device (ELD) data, fuel receipts, and GPS records to determine whether the driver or trucking company violated safety regulations. An experienced truck accident lawyer can gather this evidence and hold all responsible parties accountable, including the trucking company that may have pressured the driver to stay behind the wheel longer than allowed.
Why you need a lawyer if you were injured by a tired driver
These cases are rarely straightforward. Many fatigued drivers deny falling asleep and may even try to shift the blame to the victim. That is why a thorough investigation is so important.
Our San Antonio tired driver accident attorneys at The Herrera Law Firm know how to uncover the truth. We gather critical evidence, collaborate with experts, and fight aggressively to hold negligent drivers accountable. Our record includes results such as a $1.5 million car accident settlement for a seriously injured client.
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a crash caused by a tired driver, do not face the insurance companies alone. Contact us today for a free consultation. We can explain your options, protect your rights, and work to get you the compensation you deserve. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
