There are several types of evidence you can use to prove that a driver was drowsy at the time of an accident.
It’s difficult to mention the top causes of car accidents without bringing up drowsy driving. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), this vice accounts for about 100,000 car accidents, 1,550 deaths, and 71,000 injuries yearly. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to prove a driver was behind the wheel while being drowsy. As a result, many victims often feel lost and uncertain of where to look when they need to gather evidence.
The good news is that there are several types of evidence that you can use to prove that a driver was drowsy at the time of an accident. In this article, we’ll discuss three types of evidence you may not have thought of that can be used to prove a drowsy driver caused an accident.
Social Media
In today’s age of social media, many people, especially young people, love posting almost every detail of their lives online. This means that social media can be a valuable source of evidence for proving that a driver was drowsy at the time of an accident. For example, if the other driver posted something on social media such as “I just got home after being up all night!” or “I need some serious sleep!” and this post appears around the same time as your accident, this could provide powerful evidence that they were driving while drowsy.
Similarly, if the at-fault driver posted pictures of themselves partying before getting behind the wheel, this could be used as evidence to show they were fatigued and sleep-deprived when they got behind the wheel.
Bank Records
The defendant’s bank records can potentially be a valuable source of evidence in a drowsy driving case. By reviewing their bank records, you may be able to find evidence of late-night purchases or activities that could indicate they were sleep-deprived when they got behind the wheel.
For example, if the at-fault driver made purchases at a bar or nightclub in the hours leading up to the accident, this could suggest that they were driving while under the influence of alcohol, which can also contribute to drowsy driving.
It’s important to note that these records must be obtained with permission from a court, but if granted, this type of evidence could prove useful in proving a lack of sleep before an accident.
EDR Data
Many modern vehicles come equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) that store information about the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, braking patterns, airbag deployment times, and more. If available, this data can provide valuable insights into what happened before and during an accident. For example, if the EDR data shows that the at-fault driver was driving erratically, such as swerving between lanes or braking suddenly, this could indicate drowsy driving.
St. Louis Drowsy Driving Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a St. Louis car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, our car accident lawyers have 25 years of experience and understand the process of gathering evidence and building a strong case after a car accident. Don’t delay seeking the compensation you deserve – give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation!
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