By its very definition, if you drive while you are sick, you are driving while you are not feeling your best. Considering how many car accidents occur when people are at their best, it is not hard to imagine that accidents are even more common when a person is sick. But how do you know when you are too sick to drive? Keep reading to learn how being sick can affect your driving and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else driving while sick.
Several Factors Can Affect How Much Being Sick Can Affect Your Driving
Of course, there are levels of sickness, and not everyone who gets behind the wheel when they are not feeling well is going to be putting themselves and others in danger. The two main issues that affect how dangerous it is to drive while sick is how sick a person is and what medications they have taken for their illness. Note that you could be only slightly sick, but if you take a medication that makes you drowsy or affects your ability to concentrate, it could make you a very dangerous driver.
Driving While Sick Generally Means Slower Reaction Times
One of the issues with driving while sick is that you are likely to have slower reaction times than you would if you were feeling well. Studies have shown that when a person has a cold or the flu, they do not react as quickly to emergencies. Having other serious illnesses can impact your memory, can restrict your body movement, and can add additional mental challenges.
Being Sick is a Distraction
It is important to know that anything that takes your visual or mental attention away from the road while you are driving is a distraction. For example, what if you start to cough while driving? If your eyes are watery, or you are sneezing while driving, you are more likely to get into an accident than if you could keep your eyes – and mind – completely on the road in front of you.
Over the Counter Cold Medication Can Be Dangerous
Many people who understand that medications can cause them to become dizzy, nauseous, drowsy, and otherwise unsafe to drive make the incorrect assumption that this only applies to strong, prescription drugs. The fact that is that any medication you take can impact your driving.
If you are involved in a car accident with someone who has been driving while sick, this fact could be important to your personal injury case. Make sure you point out this fact to your personal injury attorney when you call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
