Some people say that there aren’t enough hours in the day because they’re always so busy and can’t ever seem to get through the lengthy to-do list. In some cases, sleep takes a backseat to all the other activities of the day.
It’s easy to think that fatigue doesn’t have any serious consequences, but it can lead to catastrophic crashes if a person suffering from fatigue opts to drive a vehicle. A driver suffering from fatigue can doze off at the wheel, which is dangerous even if it only happens for a few seconds.
1. Symptoms of fatigue can mimic intoxication
Fatigue can lead to symptoms that mimic intoxication. These include a slowed reaction time and changes in motor skills. By the time a person goes 20 hours without sleep, the effects are comparable to those of a driver who has a blood alcohol concentration of .08%, which is legally impaired.
2. Fatigue has many causes
Lack of sleep isn’t the only cause of fatigue. It can also be caused by working during the hours when the body naturally wants sleep, which is common for people who work second, third or swing shifts. Certain medications, such as narcotics or antihistamines, as well as some medical conditions, can also lead to fatigue.
Fatigued driving can lead to crashes that result in significant injuries, which can devastate the victims. Trying to handle the financial aspects of it while healing can be difficult. Those victims may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help cover the costs of the injuries, but this must be done in a specific time limit. Working with someone who can assist with this might make the process a bit less stressful.