School Bus Driver Falls Asleep at the Wheel
A San Juan Unified District school bus made what could have been a life-threatening journey on Monday, December 16, when the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The bus was traveling eastbound on Tupelo Drive in the vicinity of Andrea Boulevard when it hit several objects before crashing into a home. According to investigators with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at the scene, the school bus also struck a car that was parked as well as a telecommunications box. The bus was empty except for the driver, and no injuries were reported. Damage to the garage was reported. There was no indication that alcohol or drugs were involved.
Fatigued Driving
The National Sleep Foundation reports that 50 percent of drivers were drowsy when they operated a motor vehicle, and another 40 percent fell asleep while driving. The effects of driving while drowsy are similar to those seen with alcohol intoxication. If a driver has not slept in 20 hours, their ability to drive safely is the same as a motorist with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent, which is the legal limit. The drowsy driver has a longer reaction time and is less likely to recognize hazards on the road. In addition, the driver’s ability to focus will be hindered.
Microsleep
Microsleep is a stage where a person is asleep for a brief period, such as one to several seconds. Usually, the person will fall asleep without realizing it. Microsleep is involuntary and can cause significant problems. It only takes a few seconds for a highway driver to travel the distance of a football field.
Prevalence of Drowsy Driving
Annually, about 100,000 crashes involve drowsy driving. In 2015 alone, about 5,000 people were killed due to drowsy drivers. In addition, 71,000 injuries are reported each year, and it is thought that the actual number is much higher. This occurs since it is difficult to tell if a driver is fatigued. In one study by the American Automobile Association, the number of drowsy driver crashes was estimated to be about 320,000. The AAA report said the average number of injuries related to drowsy driving is 109,000, and there are over 6,000 fatalities annually. The cost of drowsy driving accidents causing injury or death is about $109 billion.
Signs That a Driver Should Not Drive
There are signals a driver should take heed of, telling him or her not to get behind the wheel. These are:
- Finding it hard to stay awake
- Yawning frequently
- Difficulting keeping your eyes open
- Weaving from one lane to another
- Missing a turn or exit
- Difficulty remembering driving
Liability in a School Bus Accident
The school bus driver is held to a higher standard than other motorists since they are transporting children. Falling asleep while driving can result in grievous harm. The driver and the school district will be considered liable for a crash and the damage it causes if the operator is considered to be negligent. A lawsuit will hold the driver personally responsible, however, since he is employed by the school district to operate the bus, his employer will also be held liable.
How an Attorney Can Help
When a bus accident causes damage or harm to people, our firm sends our investigative team to the accident scene. We evaluate the accident site and driver error to provide evidence of liability. On some occasions, we use accident reconstruction techniques to determine fault. Our investigators also speak to witnesses and obtain video footage of the school bus crash and review police records for errors. Once all evidence has been gathered, we release it to our lawyers to use to build a strong case for our client.
Sacramento Bus Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento bus accident lawyer. Involvement in a school bus accident can be traumatic. If this happened to your children, call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me on my website by filling out our convenient contact us form.
I’ve helped clients in Sacramento and Citrus Heights since 1982 in car accidents, traumatic injuries, and wrongful death cases to obtain the compensation they deserve.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
To learn more about my practice, go to the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/school-bus-school-bus-transport-4406479/
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