Sleep is essential to living a long and healthy life. Lack of sleep or poor sleep can increase the risk of developing chronic disease and mental disorders. Also, insomnia can cause personal injury, and even increase the likelihood of accidental death – something that is rarely discussed when listing the dangers of poor sleep.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is defined as a difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. This can take many forms – some people have difficulty falling asleep, while others simply have poor quality of sleep. In general, there are two categories of insomnia:
- Acute – this is brief and often occurs because of some life event or situation. Examples of acute insomnia would be someone who can’t sleep the week leading up to their wedding or someone who can’t sleep after the death of a loved one.
- Chronic – this is anyone who experiences insomnia symptoms for at least 3 nights a week for at least 3 months. Individuals who suffer from chronic insomnia may need treatment in order to help them resume a healthy sleep pattern. Treatment could include medication, psychiatric care, or behavioral changes.
Insomnia Symptoms
People with insomnia can suffer from one or more of these symptoms
- Problems falling asleep
- Trouble staying asleep
- Poor quality of sleep
- Awakening during the night
- Awakening too early
- Not feeling rested after a full night’s sleep
- Daytime tiredness
- Irritability or anxiety
- Difficulty focusing on tasks or paying attention
- Increased errors
- Accidents
- Tension headaches
- GI distress
- Low energy
Norway Examines Insomnia & Car Accidents
Recently, researchers in Norway evaluated the relationship between insomnia and accidental injuries. They included 54,399 men and women between the ages of 20 and 89 in their study. They collected data on these participants over a period of 14 years and collected information relating to insomnia symptoms. They then examined data in relation to data obtained in Norway’s National Cause of Death Registry. They found 277 fatal injuries and 57 fatal motor vehicle injuries in their study population. Their conclusion was that the greater the insomnia, the greater the risk of sustaining either fatal injuries or fatal motor vehicle injuries. They also concluded that many of these could’ve been prevented had insomnia not been present.
Data Conclusions:
- 8% of fatal accident injuries could’ve been prevented if subjects did not have trouble falling asleep
- 9% of fatal accident injuries could’ve been prevented if subjects did not have trouble staying asleep
- 8% of fatal accident injuries could’ve been prevented if subjects did not suffer from poor quality sleep
- 34% of motor vehicle deaths could’ve been prevented if subjects did not have trouble falling asleep
- 11% of motor vehicle deaths could’ve been prevented if subjects did not have trouble staying asleep
- 10% of motor vehicle deaths could’ve been prevented if subjects did not suffer from poor quality sleep
Further Reading: Colorado Traffic Fatalities Spike in 2015
Canadian Study Confirms Link Between Insomnia & Attention Difficulties
A study performed by researchers at Universite’ Laval in Quebec found that there was significant deterioration to both attention and recall memory when individuals suffered from insomnia. Even more shocking is that a third or more adults experience insomnia symptoms.
Accidents due to Fatigued Drivers
Unfortunately, fatigued drivers are often responsible for deadly car and truck accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a fatigued driver, it is important to have an experienced car accident attorney on your side from the very start. Your attorney will be able to review your case and help you obtain the money you need to fully recover – either by negotiating with insurance companies or filing personal injury lawsuits. You are entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of future earnings.
Contact Our Experienced Broomfield Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Broomfield, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, or anywhere in Colorado, it is important to contact our experienced personal injury attorneys immediately. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed car accident lawyers are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505.
Our car accident lawyers have extensive experience representing injured accident victims in Broomfield, Arvada, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Longmont, and throughout Colorado.
