Man Seriously Injured In Drowsy Driving Accident In Placer County

Yet another car accident in California has been traced to a fatigued driver who fell sleep at the wheel. A Foresthill man suffered severe injuries when he fell asleep while driving and crashed his car.

According to a California Highway Patrol officer, 33-year-old Sheldon Shostek was driving on Thursday morning when according to his statement, he fell asleep at the wheel of the pickup. The vehicle drifted over the shoulder, crashed through a fence and struck a tree. The truck overturned, and Shostek suffered major injuries. Fire crews had to make use of cutting equipment to extricate the motorist from the wreck. According to witnesses at the scene, Shostek's truck veered off the road on Interstate 90, and simply continued though the fence. There is no evidence that alcohol was a factor in this accident. Shostek who is reported to be in a fair condition, will most likely be found at fault in the accident.

This could have been a serious accident with devastating results. California car accident lawyers often come across cases where fatigued drivers fell asleep at the wheel, plowing their cars into other vehicles. A car out of control on a busy highway, because of a driver who has dozed off, can easily set off pileups and multiple crashes. Shostek jeopardized his own safety, as well as the safety of others by driving while tired.

Drowsy driving is one of the most underestimated causes of accidents nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 100,000 accidents a year can be traced to drivers dozing off or falling asleep at the wheel. Every year, an estimated 71,000 people suffer injuries because of drowsy driving. 1500 deaths are linked to such accidents. Yet as a nation, we have done very little to tackle the dangers that arise when motorists drive in a fatigued state. There is plenty of attention placed on drunk driving, and every year, states, including California, conduct intensive crackdowns to keep drunk motorists off the road. We take great pains to ensure that motorists and passengers buckle up when they are on road. However, there is precious little we do to combat driving in a fatigued state.

Some motorists could be at a higher risk for fatigued driving. Persons who have shift-based jobs are more likely to have irregular sleep patterns that may manifest themselves as drowsy driving. People who suffer from sleep apnea - in which there is interrupted sleep at night - may also be more prone to driving while fatigued.

Experts recommend the following measures to prevent car accidents related to drowsy driving. If you are driving through the night, try to find a hotel where you can get a few hours of rest before you drive again. If you are at work and about to leave home after the night shift, wait and take a nap before you start driving. Even a short nap of a maximum of 30 minutes can make you feel refreshed and alert. Naps shouldn't be too long since they actually cause grogginess which can be just as bad. Seek treatment for sleep apnea. Caffeine can do a lot to make you alert again.