Sleep Apnea Is a Silent Epidemic That More Than Doubles the Risk of a Car Accident
Test results have revealed that people with sleep apnea perform just as poorly or worse on driving performance tests as those that are legally intoxicated. Sleep studies have revealed that people with sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that disrupts sleep, are at least double the risk of being in a car crash. An academic study recently revealed that patients with sleep apnea are 3 to 5 times more likely to be in a serious car accident involving personal injury. Not only is the number of car and truck crashes startling but even more surprising is the severity of the crashes and how many catastrophic injuries and fatalities have occurred.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Department of Transportation Task Force in Pulmonary Disorders noted that untreated obstructive sleep apnea is a preventable cause of numerous car and truck accidents. Many times the condition results in deadly consequences and has risen to epidemic proportions in regard to commercial truck drivers. No one on the roadways is immune. An individual with sleep apnea can fall asleep within minutes in a quiet or monotonous environment such as driving at night and many times during the daytime. The cost of car accidents due to sleep apnea has been estimated to be in the billions each year. In fact, the costs are so high that it would be cheaper to diagnose and treat all drivers with sleep apnea.
Unfortunately very little is being done about this silent epidemic in the trucking industry which has particularly worsened considering that there are over 4.7 million commercial truck drivers on the highways and studies indicates that more than 28% of them have sleep apnea. Such a result implies that over 1.3 million truck drivers are affected. Many trucking companies and drivers knowing the serious risks and dangers posed by sleep apnea still choose to turn a blind eye to this clear and present danger to the motoring public.
The experienced Pennsylvania car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily carefully investigate all of our trucking and car accident cases for the involvement of sleep apnea and other medical or physical conditions which may explain to the insurance company or the jury why our clients have been injured and why we are greedy for justice including punitive damages. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania motor vehicle accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced car accident and truck accident attorneys for a free no obligation consultation. Our record of success since 1979 speaks for itself.
