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SC Nursing Home Abuse: What You Need to Know

Many people have an unpleasant picture in their minds as to what life in a nursing home is like. While it’s true that some nursing homes continue to live down to the stereotypes, the fact is that nursing homes are highly regulated these days, and many provide excellent care for residents.  If, after your search for the appropriate nursing home, you find the care to be negligent or abusive, consulting with a local attorney who specialized in these institutions may be worthwhile.

 

Who Lives at SC Nursing Homes?

While nearly 50 percent of nursing home residents are over age 85, the majority ranges in age from 65-84; only a handful are younger. Roughly three-fourths of residents are women, the majority widowed, divorced, or never married.   

 

Reasons to Consider an SC Nursing Home

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If you suspect nursing home abuse of your loved one, contact a Greenville nursing home abuse attorney today.

People move to nursing homes for a variety or reasons, but the most common one is that they have trouble handling daily activities without assistance.  Four out of five residents require help attending to daily activities such as dressing themselves, bathing, or eating. Some are able to walk, but need supervision or assistance. Many also have difficulty with vision, hearing and other functions.

But physical limitations are only part of the story.  Many individuals in nursing homes—up to 70 percent, in fact, battle with issues related to dementia.  Over 75 percent struggle to make daily decisions, and over 65 percent forget where they are from time to time or have other memory problems.

 

What SC Nursing Homes Offer

While number of factors may play into the question of whether or not nursing home care is the right choice for your loved one, it is worth understanding precisely what nursing homes have to offer: skilled nurses and physicians available to assist with a variety of medical complaints, from orthopedic problems to intravenous therapies and breathing treatments. Short-term occupational therapy or wound care may be necessary for some patients who are recovering from an accident. And some patients may require respite care, hospice attention, or other end-of-life services.  Beyond medical care, nursing homes are able to provide nutritious meals, recreational activities, companionship, and social work services.

 

The Right Home for Your Loved One

Finding the right care facility is an important decision for many families. As you consider issues such as cost, distance, and comfort, it’s nice to know that Medicaid rates nursing homes in several areas, including staffing, health inspections, and quality of care.  They consider the nurse to patient ratios, and the number of aides, therapists, and other caregivers.  Fires safety is evaluated, as well as evacuation procedures designed to deal with other types of emergencies. They look at patient care, and whether or not residents required emergency services, reported high levels of pain, or experienced pressure ulcers.

 

When You Suspect Problems, call a Greenville Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If your loved one is not getting the care they deserve, the nursing home may be guilty of more than just ethical lapses.  They may face legal consequences. To discuss your concerns, contact Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm in Greenville today for a free, confidential consultation.

South Carolina Workers’ Compensation: What You Should Know

Workplace injuries are inevitable, regardless of the occupation.  Secretaries may develop carpal tunnel syndrome from long hours on a keyboard; warehouse workers may develop back strain from heavy lifting, chefs might experience a kitchen burn, and postal service workers could encounter a perilous situation with an angry dog.  All of these incidents, and more, entitle workers to diagnostic and medical care through South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation.  But sometimes navigating the complex bureaucracy can be cumbersome and overwhelming. That’s when having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side can be helpful.

 

The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act

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Not sure if you should file a workers’ compensation claim? Reach out to Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm today!

South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA) allows for employees who have experienced accidents or injuries as a result of their employment to receive medical treatment, as well as compensation for lost wages, for a period of time.  If a long-term or permanent disability results from a workplace incident, a worker is entitled to permanent disability benefits.

 

Employer Rights in South Carolina

To be sure, employers do have specific rights and responsibilities in workers’ compensation claims.  They may select the doctor you see. If you choose to be treated by your own physician in circumstances not deemed a medical emergency, it may not be reimbursable by workers’ compensation.

 

Employee Responsibilities in South Carolina

Employees are required to report workplace injuries to their employers right away, and request information as to how to obtain services from an approved physician.  Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will then cover any treatments that are authorized by that physician.

 

Lost Wages in South Carolina

In the event you are unable to work for a period of time, workers’ compensation will compensate you roughly two-thirds of your usual weekly wages, maxing out at just over $800 per week.  

 

Disability Impairment Ratings in South Carolina

If your injury results in some degree of permanent impairment, your doctor will determine what is called the maximum medical improvement (MMI).  This designation indicates that your progress has reached its plateau, and further treatment will not significantly impact your recovery. The American Medical Association has published a guide to help physicians evaluate impairments.  Your physician will determine an impairment rating based on your circumstances, which will be used to determine the amount of compensation you receive in a workers’ compensation claim.

 

Challenges Along the Way in South Carolina

Throughout the workers’ compensation process, you will be required to follow specific procedures in order to avoid negating your workers’ compensation claim.  A number of issues may prompt you to seek legal assistance along the way. Some common problems include:

  • Your employer denies the claim altogether;
  • Your employer retaliates against you for filing a claim;
  • You wish to challenge the impairment rating assigned following an injury; or
  • You disagree with the MMI determination.

 

Legal Assistance in South Carolina

Suffering a workplace injury is bad enough without having to battle your employer and their insurance carrier for the coverage you deserve.  If you find that you are not getting a fair and reasonable response to your injuries, the aggressive and experienced team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm can help.  We are experienced in workers’ compensation cases, and will fight to ensure you get the treatment and financial assistance to which you are entitled. Contact us in Greenville for a free, confidential consultation today.

Hit and Run Collisions in South Carolina

There’s no such thing as a good auto collision, but everyone can agree that there’s something particularly unnerving about the hit and run accidents.  When another driver is responsible for the crash and dashes away without bothering to exchange insurance information, or even check on the medical status of people in the other vehicle, it can be both maddening and dangerous.  So what should you do following this type of event?

 

Think Fast after an Accident — Call 911

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If you’ve been involved in a hit and run collision and don’t know what to do, call Greenville Car Accident Attorney Dan Pruitt.

For starters, call 911. Then assimilate whatever information you can about the other driver.  Make a mental note about as many details as you can about the accident, including:

  • The make and model of the other vehicle;
  • The gender and general appearance of the driver;
  • Details of the accident itself;
  • The direction the other vehicle headed in its escape;
  • The contact information of any witnesses to the events.

If possible, take pictures that could help in identifying the other driver or reconstructing the accident.  Keep a copy of the police report with the investigating officer’s name and badge number in case you remember any details later.  Law enforcement will likely attempt to locate surveillance camera footage from nearby businesses in order to locate the missing driver.  Meanwhile, you may want to contact a local attorney to help you proceed.

 

Hit and Runs are a Serious Problem Nationwide

Hit and run incidents are on the rise across the country.  Incredibly, there were over 2,000 hit and run fatalities in 2016 alone. And that is just a fraction of the total number of cases involving just property damage or personal injuries.

 

SC Car Insurance

Your collision insurance will cover the property costs associated with the accident, after the deductible.  Injuries will be addressed by your personal injury policy.

In South Carolina, another option is available:  uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Purchasing this type of policy (insurers are required to offer it) with higher levels of reimbursement can be a godsend in the event of a serious hit and run accident.  South Carolina law Section 38-77-170 allows drivers to file a claim to sue John Doe in a hit and run situation to recover damages for property damage and/or personal injuries.  However, this option is available to you only under very exacting circumstances:

  • You reported the accident quickly after it happened;
  • Property damage and injuries occurred as a result of a physical crash, and were seen by another witness who is willing to sign an affidavit stating the facts of the case;
  • You’ve made a reasonable attempt to identify the other motorist.

 

Recovery from SC Auto Accidents

Following this horrendous type of accident, you may feel bewildered and disappointed in humanity. But you are not alone.  At Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm, our experienced legal team will fight to achieve the best possible outcomes for you after a hit and run accident.  Contact us for a free, confidential consultation in Greenville today.

Auto-Pedestrian Crashes

When Claudia McGilvery crossed Main Street in Easley, she could not have imagined that those steps would be her last. Sadly, she was hit by a car and died shortly afterward. This is one of many auto-pedestrian accidents that has brought heartache to families across the country. In 2015 alone, nearly 130,000 pedestrians were sent to emergency rooms, and over 5,000 pedestrians lost their lives in auto collisions. That’s more than one death every two hours. In South Carolina, roughly 100 such fatalities occur annually.

 

Facts Worth Knowing about Pedestrian Accidents in South Carolina

A number of environmental factors impact pedestrian safety throughout the country. This is what studies tell us about pedestrian fatalities:

  • Nearly three-fourths occur in urban locations;
  • Roughly 70 percent occur outside of intersections;
  • Almost 75 percent occur in darkness;
  • The average age of individuals is 46;
  • Five percent are youth aged 14 or younger;
  • Nearly 20 percent are elderly individuals over age 64; and
  • Almost 70 percent are males.

 

Impaired Drivers and Risks to Pedestrians

Unfortunately, approximately half of the fatalities involved in auto-pedestrian accidents were preventable. Studies indicate that nearly 50 percent of these incidents involved alcohol consumption by the vehicle driver (15 percent) and/or the pedestrian (34 percent).

 

Staying Safe on South Carolina Roads

Greenville, SC Car Accident Lawyer

Greenville, SC pedestrians run a greater risk of injuries during car accidents.

Experts provide a number of safety tips for pedestrians:

  • Use crosswalks and intersections when available;
  • Dress for visibility;
  • Avoid drugs or alcohol that might impair coordination, judgment, or agility;
  • Stay on the path or sidewalk when available; otherwise, face traffic and stay as far to the right of traffic as possible; and
  • Be particularly cautious at night.

Drivers, too, can take steps to avoid accidents involving pedestrians:

  • Keep an eye out for pedestrians all the time; children often dart out unexpectedly;
  • Never fail to make complete stops at stop signs and signals;
  • Do not pass stopped vehicles at crosswalks or flashing lights;
  • Never get behind the wheel if fatigued or impaired;
  • Follow posted speed limits; and
  • Use extra caution in neighborhoods and at night.

 

South Carolina Laws

Although pedestrians have a certain duty to be responsible, drivers are required to exercise due care in order to avoid crashing into pedestrians. Even if the individual is not in a crosswalk, drivers have a higher duty of caution because pedestrians are much more vulnerable in a collision. Drivers must always stay aware and keep their vehicles under control.

 

Calling a South Carolina Accident Lawyer Following a Collision

Any auto-pedestrian collision is a shock. Drivers are expected to stay at the scene and to assist in creating as safe a scenario as possible. 911 should be called, and appropriate law enforcement and medical personnel will make determinations as to next steps.

If the injuries or fatalities are the results of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, or if a driver leaves the scene without taking responsibility for the accident (hit and run), the aggressive and experienced legal team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm will investigate and work tirelessly in the quest for justice on your behalf. Contact us in Greenville for a free, confidential consultation today.

What you need to know about Workers’ Compensation Laws in South Carolina

Workplace injuries occur every day in South Carolina, and worker’s compensation is the safety net designed to provide the care and compensation necessary for injured workers. Understanding the guidelines and processes involved can be a bureaucratic nightmare, so working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is often a good idea.

 

Permanent Impairment Rating in South Carolina

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Dan Pruitt is a workers comp attorney in Greenville, SC.

An authorized physician must examine you to determine the level of impairment your injury has caused. The disability will then be evaluated to determine the degree to which it inhibits your ability to work. Beyond the injury itself, your education, experience, and other personal dynamics will be evaluated.

Notably, the determination of permanent disability is not based exclusively on medical factors. Rather, it is related to the ability of the individual to be gainfully employed. If that ability is limited or absent due to an impairment, and if it is unlikely to improve markedly in the future, it will be classified as a permanent disability. In fact, the rating of permanent disability is an administrative, not a medical determination.

On the other hand, physical impairment relates specifically to the functional or anatomical issues that may exist after an accident. If that impairment continues to limit functioning following rehabilitation, it is considered a permanent impairment.

In the event you experience something less than a total recovery, it is possible to receive compensation even though you may have returned to working full-time. Additionally, compensation may be awarded if you are disfigured, including if you experience keloid scarring or serious burns, or any scarring on your face, neck or head.

 

Total Permanent Disability in South Carolina

Individuals who experience brain damage, paraplegia, or quadriplegia are entitled to weekly benefits for life. Otherwise, those with total permanent disabilities are entitled to just nine and one-half years of compensation.

 

Appealing Decisions with the SC Court of Appeals

Except in rare cases, decisions made by a workers’ compensation commissioner may be appealed and be revisited by a panel. Such requests for an appeal must be filed within two weeks of the original decision, and include a $150 filing fee. Any appeals of the panel’s decision must then be filed with the Court of Appeals, which can then be appealed with the South Carolina Court of Appeals.  

Certainly, the appeals process can become quite cumbersome. The cascade of paperwork, investigation, and footwork necessary to secure a successful appeal can seem overwhelming.  But with the experienced and dedicated legal team of Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm on your side, you can rest assured that the deadlines and forms will be properly addressed, and your legal advocates will fight for the best possible outcomes. For a  free, confidential case evaluation, contact us in Greenville today.

Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina

Workplace injuries occur every day in South Carolina, and worker’s compensation is the safety net designed to provide the care and compensation necessary for injured workers. Understanding the guidelines and processes involved can be a bureaucratic nightmare, so working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is often a good idea.

 

Permanent Impairment Rating in South Carolina

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Dan Pruitt is a Greenville, SC Workers Compensation Attorney who can advocate for your compensation.

An authorized physician must examine you to determine the level of impairment your injury has caused. The disability will then be evaluated to determine the degree to which it inhibits your ability to work. Beyond the injury itself, your education, experience, and other personal dynamics will be evaluated.

Notably, the determination of permanent disability is not based exclusively on medical factors. Rather, it is related to the ability of the individual to be gainfully employed. If that ability is limited or absent due to an impairment, and if it is unlikely to improve markedly in the future, it will be classified as a permanent disability. In fact, the rating of permanent disability is an administrative, not a medical determination.

On the other hand, physical impairment relates specifically to the functional or anatomical issues that may exist after an accident. If that impairment continues to limit functioning following rehabilitation, it is considered a permanent impairment.

In the event you experience something less than a total recovery, it is possible to receive compensation even though you may have returned to working full-time. Additionally, compensation may be awarded if you are disfigured, including if you experience keloid scarring or serious burns, or any scarring on your face, neck or head.

 

Total Permanent Disability in South Carolina

Individuals who experience brain damage, paraplegia, or quadriplegia are entitled to weekly benefits for life. Otherwise, those with total permanent disabilities are entitled to just nine and one-half years of compensation.

 

Appealing Decisions in South Carolina

Except in rare cases, decisions made by a workers’ compensation commissioner may be appealed and be revisited by a panel. Such requests for an appeal must be filed within two weeks of the original decision, and include a $150 filing fee. Any appeals of the panel’s decision must then be filed with the Court of Appeals, which can then be appealed with the South Carolina Court of Appeals.  

Certainly, the appeals process can become quite cumbersome. The cascade of paperwork, investigation, and footwork necessary to secure a successful appeal can seem overwhelming.  But with the experienced and dedicated legal team of Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm on your side, you can rest assured that the deadlines and forms will be properly addressed, and your legal advocates will fight for the best possible outcomes. For a  free, confidential case evaluation, contact us in Greenville today.

What you need to know about Workers Compensation Laws in South Carolina

As a worker in South Carolina, Workers’ Compensation (WC) provides a safety net to address medical expenses and lost wages in the event you are injured on the job.  But strict rules and timelines impact your eligibility for thee benefits, so getting assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the process may be advisable.

 

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Dan Pruitt is a Greenville, SC Workers Compensation Attorney who can advocate for your compensation.

Types of Injuries at Work in Greenville, SC

Workplace injuries may be impacted by many factors, such as long-term exposure to toxins, repetitive motions, emotional stress, or single incidents.  Examples include:

  • Firemen breathing in smoke and getting lung cancer;
  • Secretaries developing carpal tunnel syndrome after years of typing;
  • A traumatic event causing serious psychological damage to a police officer;
  • Falling from a ladder and sustaining a back injury.

 

Occupational Diseases in Greenville, SC

Certain hazards are associated with particular occupations or duties, and treatment is covered by Workers’ Compensation.  There are many examples of conditions directly connected to exposure to hazardous materials, including:

  • Pulmonary disease
  • Cancer
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Skin problems
  • Gastrointestinal diseases
  • Reproductive issues

 

Reporting Injuries and Filing a Workers Compensation Claim

It is essential that you report the incident to your employer as soon as possible after sustaining or being diagnosed with a workplace injury or illness.  This is critical, because if you allow 90 days to pass after a diagnosis without notifying your employer, you may become ineligible for benefits.

 

File a Workers Compensation Claim

If your employer doesn’t report the incident, workers may do so themselves using one of two forms provided by Workers’ Compensation.  Do this as quickly as possible, and not more than two years following an accident or illness.

 

Medical Care

Workers’ Compensation will pay for medical care required to lessen or eliminate your disability. This may include:

  • Surgery expenses;
  • Physical therapy
  • Hospital stays;
  • Medical equipment;
  • Prescriptions;
  • Prosthetics;
  • Travel expenses related to medical care;
  • Psychological care.

 

Wage Benefits

If your illness or injury interferes with your ability to work, you may be eligible for compensation at a rate of 66 2/3 percent of your typical earnings over the previous four quarters, up to a predetermined maximum amount of nearly $840.00 per week.  Eligibility for these payments occurs following a seven-day waiting period, and will then be made directly to you.

 

Light Duty

In some cases, individuals are capable of returning to work with certain limitations.  Workers must accept these light duty assignments, and are eligible for financial remuneration if such positions provide lower earnings than previously earned.

 

Your Greenville, SC Workers Compensation Claim

It is important to recognize that workers’ compensation is a huge system, and individuals frequently find the system to be unwieldy and convoluted.  That is why the experienced legal team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm takes such pride in efficiently and effectively addressing your concerns with workers’ compensation.  Whether you are just initiating the relationship with WC, or have been buried by paperwork related to your case over time, let us help.  Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

The Reasons Why Intersections Deserve Your Attention

Intersections are a dangerous place on South Carolina roadways, where more than one in ten roadway fatalities occur.  What makes them so perilous? The truth is, a number of factors impact safety in intersections, ranging from driver error to confusing signage & road markings.  Whatever the reasons, when accidents occur in intersections, they can be particularly hazardous.  If you are involved in such a collision, an aggressive car accident lawyer can help.

 

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Knowing how to navigate busy intersections is key to your safety in a car driving around Greenville, SC.

What Makes These Accidents More Serious?

When collisions occur in intersections, they are often linked to more serious injuries, and even fatalities, for a number of reasons:

  • Accidents frequently involve T-boning, when one vehicle is struck in the side, where structural supports tend to be weakest;
  • Vehicles that are hit broadside are more likely to be shoved into other vehicles or obstacles;
  • Many broadside hits result in rollovers; and
  • High speeds in intersections lead to greater velocity at the moment of impact.

 

Driver Distraction Impacts Crash Rates

The number-one issue associated with all types of collisions is driver distraction.  Motorists who engage in eating, texting, and other distractions while behind the wheel put everyone at risk.  Intersections, in particular, require a driver’s attention.

 

Roadway Improvements Have Made Intersections Safer

In South Carolina, the Department of Transportation is working to ease the confusion associated with the most dangerous intersections in the state by making sweeping changes,among them the following:

  • Adding signs on both the left and right to alert drivers to upcoming intersections;
  • Providing larger signs with fluorescent lettering;
  • Identifying upcoming street names well in advance of the intersection;
  • Marking stop bars clearly;
  • Adding more crosswalks;
  • Creating more painted arrows and worded messages on lanes;
  • Adding one signal per lane in high accident areas; and
  • Creating more pedestrian countdown signals.

 

Driver Responsibility helps reduce crash rates in Intersections

Even with improvements to the design and signage at intersections, ultimately drivers must make smart decisions while behind the wheel:

  • Don’t speed up in order to make it through a light.  You just might wind up colliding with someone who jumped the light going in a perpendicular direction;
  • Proceed slowly through a light when it turns from red to green.  There may still be traffic in the intersection going the other way;
  • When mechanical failures with signal lights occur, remain patient and alert.  Take turns advancing through the intersection.
  • Drive appropriately for road conditions.  When visibility is low or roadways are wet, drop your speed accordingly;
  • Be particularly cautious with regard to pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • Keep your focus on the road.  It could save a life.

 

What To Do Following a Collision in an Intersection

If you are the victim of an accident that is a result of another driver’s negligence, distraction, or recklessness, you may be dealing with serious injuries in addition to property damage.  The tough team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm knows how to fight back against this kind of injustice.  Contact us in Greenville for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the ways in which we can help.

Choosing a Nursing Home in Greenville, South Carolina

Watching those we love grow older can be difficult when it becomes clear that their safety is at risk when unsupervised.  At that point, it may become necessary for many to consider nursing home care. But how does the average person decide on just the right place for their elderly loved one?  Experts offer several tips.

 

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Checking simple things like dining options, employee attitudes and common room attendance can help differentiate good nursing homes from bad ones.

The Basics

One consideration many must consider is whether or not the nursing home has Medicaid or Medicare certification.  Nursing homes can be quite expensive, and getting some help with the monthly payment is critical for many Americans.

 

Consider the Food

Nursing homes generally work to provide nutritious meals, while some sacrifice palatability and/or visual appeal.  This can be particularly problematic for our loved ones who are reluctant eaters. When checking out nursing home options, be sure to visit the dining room a few times to get a sense of the meals that will be provided.

 

Are Residents Treated with Dignity?

When visiting a home, listen up.  Are residents addressed by name? Do you hear residents who seem to be in distress, or who are calling out for help? If so, how is the staff responding? Impatient or sharp-tongued staff members are a big warning sign!  And by the way—staff who are rude to one another are likely more so with residents when no one’s looking!

 

Take a Sniff

Yes, funky scents will be present in even very good nursing homes.  That’s because many residents have issues with bladders and/or bowels, while others take medications that create a gassy stomach.  But a reeking odor of urine may be an indication that there is neglect, whether in caring for patient needs or in cleaning the premises.

 

What are the Routines for Residents

Have residents been tucked away in their rooms most of the time, or left in front of a television in a common room?  Or are there opportunities for games, activities, and entertainment? A nursing home should be providing a variety of quality activities on a regular basis.  Otherwise, it’s not going to be a good, healthy environment.

 

Consider Medical Issues

While bruising is common as we age, some bruises may seem suspicious.  Handprint shaped marks could be a sign of an abusive interaction. Another issue to consider is bedsores. While these, too, may be unavoidable for the sickest and frail residents, those who are capable of getting up and about should be doing so.  For those who are confined to bed, you should expect them to be rotated on a regular basis, and those rotations should be charted.

 

If Something Goes Wrong

Once you’ve made a selection, it is important to make regular, unscheduled visits to check on your loved one.  Listen to concerns and pay attention to changes in behavior. If there are problems, go to the administration with your concerns.  If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, you may need the assistance of aggressive attorneys who are familiar with the industry. At Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm, we are experienced in detecting these issues and will fight for justice.  Contact us in Greenville for a free, confidential consultation today.

How to Stay Awake while Driving Long Distances: Truck Driver

Truck drivers are a vulnerable population for fatigue – “the result of physical or mental exertion that impairs performance” – while they are driving. This can become dangerous for both the truck driver and the other cars on the road because when a driver becomes fatigued, he or she is not able to respond to unexpected events as quickly. It is hard to avoid feeling sleepy while driving a truck for many hours because of the demands of the job, but six tips about fatigue for truck drivers can be found below. If you or your loved one have been involved in a trucking accident and you need help, the Dan Pruitt Law Firm has the knowledge and expertise to come alongside you and make sure you get the help you deserve. Please call us today at (864) 232-4273 for a free consultation.

 

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Use these tips to stay awake on the roads and keep everyone safe.

Tip 1: Get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel.

Due to your body’s circadian rhythm, which is the cycle of waking and sleeping that our body is on (internal clock), our bodies are programmed to be tired at specific times throughout the day. These times for most people are between midnight and 6am, as well as between 2pm and 4pm. If it is possible to avoid driving during these times when your body is naturally tired, it can help fight driver drowsiness. A study done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that the alertness of drivers had more to do with what time of day they were driving than how long they had been driving. Another study was completed with results showing that accidents are highest in the first hour of driving. This points to our bodies needing time to fully wake up before we are alert enough and ready to drive.

 

Tip 2: Maintain a healthy diet.

It is difficult to keep a healthy diet when you are driving for days at a time, but it is important to keep you from being drowsy. When you skip meals or you eat your meals at irregular times, this lack of fuel can lead to sleepiness and food cravings. It is important to have restful sleep at night so that when you wake up, you are able to safely drive, and food can impact your sleep. If you go to bed with an empty stomach, or right after eating a full meal, you are less likely to get as much restful sleep as when you have a light snack before sleeping.

 

Tip 3: Take a nap.

If at all possible, the best way to combat sleepiness while driving is to pull over and take a nap when you start to feel drowsy. Naps should be short, with the length of 10-45 minutes to help you get the most benefits from it. After napping, it is important to give yourself at least 15 minutes to fully wake up before getting on the road again.

 

Tip 4: Avoid medication that may induce drowsiness.

There are many different kinds of medicines that you may take that could cause drowsiness, including tranquilizers, sleeping pills, allergy medicines, and cold medicines. It is very important to read the warning labels on medicine bottles before you take them if you are about to drive to make sure that the medication that you are taking won’t make you fall asleep at the wheel. It is better to deal with the symptoms of a cold than to fall asleep while driving.

 

Tip 5: Recognize the signals and dangers of drowsiness.

When you are focused on driving for long periods of time, it is easy to become out of tune with your body and not know when you are starting to feel tired, but it is important to try and pay attention to the first warning signs. Some signs of drowsiness are blurred vision, frequent yawning, and heavy eyes (hard to keep them open).

 

Tip 6: Do not rely on “alertness tricks” to keep you awake.

Sometimes when driving, there are things you can do to make yourself feel more awake, like turning up the music, rolling down the window, or drinking a cup of coffee. It is important to remember that these are temporary fixes and may work for a little while, but they are not going to keep you awake to continue driving safely in the long-term.

Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm
300 Pettigru Street, Suite 100
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 280-7660