Last week a driver of an SUV fell asleep at the wheel injuring all six passengers aboard. The SUV rolled out of control during the early evening on Highway 264 in Greenville, North Carolina (N.C.). According to authorities, 19-year-old Cornelius Keech, Jr. of Grimesland, North Carolina (NC) has been charged with reckless driving .
As Trooper A.B. Smith explained to news station WITN, Keech’s 2002 Ford Explorer was traveling west into Greenville,NC on Hwy 264 when he fell asleep at the wheel around 8:20 p.m. which caused him to cross into the grass median. Over-correcting, Keech then lost control and flipped the SUV twice coming to rest east of North Campus Crossing.
It is noted that a total of seven people were in the Ford Explorer at the time of the SUV wreck, which included an infant.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 100,000 car accidents each year are the direct result of people falling asleep at the wheel. Not only that, but these 100,000 car accidents related to falling asleep at the wheel are the cause of over 1,500 deaths and over 70,000 injuries annually, in addition to significant amounts of property damage each year. There are some myths and facts about how to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.
Myths on How to Not Fall Asleep at the Wheel
- Blast loud music to stay awake.
…False.
It has been shown that no matter how loud the music that if you are tired you will nod off.
- Pull over to the shoulder and get some sleep.
…False.
While this may help your fatigue, it is never safe pulling over to the roadside, and you should avoid it if at all possible Your likelihood of getting hit by another vehicle goes up significantly. Try to find a rest area.
- Drinking coffee (or soda , tea , an energy drink or any other caffeinated beverage) will help you stay on the road longer.
…False.
Caffeine is only a temporary fix and most times it takes time for the side effects to “kick in” after taking them.
The best advice is the most simple… get plenty of rest before you embark upon your road trip, and if you get fatigued, find a safe place to get some sleep.
As with all serious injury cases, it is especially crucial to seek out professional legal advice in car accident injury cases and we have the experienced injury attorneys to evaluate your claim. Our firm is ready to assist you in reviewing your specific situation to see if your claim meets our criteria. In North Carolina (NC) , as well as every other state, there are laws on how long you have to file a suit. Don’t hesitate, call our toll free number and get confidential legal advice.