Can Driving with Coronavirus Put Other Drivers at Risk in Omaha, Nebraska?
Several years ago, CBS News published an article about the risks of driving while sick. The article came with the provocative title: “Is Driving with a Cold as Dangerous as Driving Drunk?” The results of the study indicated that drivers who operated a motor vehicle while sick with a cold could potentially be as impaired behind the wheel as drivers who may have had several drinks. What implications does this have in the era of coronavirus, where people might be potentially sicker than those suffering from the common cold, and what does it mean for victims of car accidents who believe the other driver may have been driving while sick?
Ultimately, there are no laws on the books that prohibit drivers from getting behind the wheel while sick. But there are laws that prohibit drivers from getting behind the wheel impaired. Drivers who get behind the wheel while under the influence of cold medicine, for example, could be considered impaired. And some types of cold medicine can produce effects in individuals similar to drinking. In other cases, individuals can also suffer from sleepiness after taking certain types of cold medicines.
Drivers who are so sick while driving that they cannot make wise decisions behind the wheel might also find themselves making serious errors that can lead to accidents and injuries. Ultimately, everyone has a responsibility to get behind the wheel when they are safe to do so. Failing to take precautions, like staying home when sick could not only potentially put you in a position where you could get other people sick, but could also put you in a position where you could make a deadly or dangerous error while driving. Rensch & Rensch Law is a car accident law firm in Omaha, Nebraska that works with individuals who have been hurt in car and truck accidents. If you have been injured in an accident and believe the other driver was at fault for your crash, you may have the right to seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and pain and suffering.
Operating a Motor Vehicle While Sick Can Impair Your Driving
Researchers found that drivers who get behind the wheel while suffering from symptoms of the common cold experienced slower reaction times, braked more often, drove more erratically, and were less aware of their surroundings than healthy drivers. The researchers estimated that sick drivers were 50 percent less able to drive than healthy drivers. They found that sick driving was the same as “drinking four double whiskeys.” Drivers should keep this in mind and think twice before driving while they are not feeling well, especially in the era of COVID-19.
Coronavirus symptoms can be more serious than those suffered by individuals sick with the common cold. Coronavirus symptoms can include fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of smell, sore throat, runny nose and congestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More serious symptoms can include more serious difficulty breathing, confusion, problems staying awake, and pain or pressure on the chest. These symptoms can be potentially life-threatening, not to mention dangerous, for an individual trying to drive. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 serious enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, you may want to consider calling 911 for help rather than getting behind the wheel.
Ultimately, individuals are wise to follow official instructions when it comes to staying home when sick. Take care of yourself and avoid spreading the virus. And if you find yourself in an accident with someone who appears to be sick, make sure to practice social distancing, call the police to report the crash, let your insurance company know, take photos, and consider reaching out to Rensch & Rensch Law, a car accident law firm in Omaha, Nebraska.
Seek Justice Today
The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we live and work. It is also potentially changing the way we drive and take public transportation. There have been reports that there might be greater risks of accidents in the future as more people avoid public transportation and choose to drive, walk, or ride bike. If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident in Omaha, Nebraska, you may have the right to seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law, however, so you may want to speak to the personal injury lawyers at Rensch & Rensch Law in Omaha, Nebraska as soon as possible. Our lawyers can review the details of your case, estimate the value of your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and help you seek damages for your injuries. Reach out to our attorneys today or get connected with our lawyers through USAttorneys.com today.
