Drowsy Driving Accidents

Michigan Drowsy Driving Accident Claims

Drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Studies show that being awake for 24 hours produces impairment equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.10% — well above Michigan's legal limit. When fatigued drivers fall asleep at the wheel or have dangerously slowed reaction times, they cause devastating crashes on Michigan highways and roads. Koussan Law represents victims of drowsy driving accidents throughout the state.

Proving Drowsy Driving

Unlike drunk driving, drowsy driving does not leave a blood test result. Proving fatigue requires investigating the at-fault driver's sleep patterns, work schedule, travel history, phone and app usage data showing late-night activity, medical conditions that cause fatigue, and medication side effects. We also examine physical evidence from the crash: no skid marks (indicating the driver didn't brake), drift patterns showing the vehicle gradually left its lane, and the nature of the collision itself.

Commercial Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving is particularly common among commercial truck drivers, delivery drivers, and rideshare drivers who work long shifts. Federal Hours of Service regulations limit how long commercial drivers can operate, and violations of these rules constitute negligence per se. When a trucking company pressures drivers to exceed legal driving limits or falsify log books, both the driver and the company are liable.

Michigan Law and Drowsy Driving Claims

Michigan's no-fault system provides PIP benefits for medical expenses and wage loss under MCL § 500.3107. For third-party pain and suffering claims, drowsy driving accidents often produce catastrophic injuries that clearly meet the "serious impairment" threshold under MCL § 500.3135. In cases involving commercial drivers, the trucking company's commercial insurance policy provides substantially higher coverage limits than personal auto policies.

Call Koussan Law at (313) 800-0000 after a drowsy driving accident.