According to the Tennessean, the state of Tennessee reported over 2,000 new coronavirus cases in the state of Tennessee alone in a single day, which includes new cases tallied over the weekend. Cities and states across the nation are reversing some of their plans to re-open their economies, as cases across the country have surged. In Florida, South Florida reports that it will close its beaches for the July 4th weekend. Other states are calling for residents to wear masks when out in public. With the increases in cases, more people might be choosing to get behind the wheel while sick with coronavirus or while under the influence of cold medicine. More people sick means the chances of more people sick on the road might be higher. What does this mean for driver safety in Nashville, Tennessee? Could driving while sick with the coronavirus be dangerous? George R. Fusner, Jr. is a car accident law firm in Nashville, Tennessee that works with crash victims to help them seek damages for their crashes. Let’s explore the risks of driving while sick with coronavirus.
Can Driving While Sick Be as Dangerous as Driving Drunk?
There is research to support the idea that driving while sick with a cold could potentially be as dangerous as driving drunk. CBS News reported on the work of researchers who wanted to determine whether driving with the common cold could be as dangerous as driving while drunk. They found that those who drove while suffering from the common cold had slower reaction times, were more likely to hit the brakes, drove more erratically, and ultimately experienced a 50% drop in driving ability. This was the equivalent to driving while under the influence of four double whiskeys. Because the coronavirus symptoms can be far more serious than the symptoms of the common cold, drivers who are experiencing symptoms may be wise to choose to stay home. But can a driver be held legally liable for getting behind the wheel while sick with COVID-19? There are no laws on the books that make it illegal to drive while sick with a cold, but there are laws against impaired driving, and many state officials are asking that people who are showing symptoms of the coronavirus self-isolate. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident and the other person was sick with the coronavirus, you may not be able to pursue a lawsuit on the grounds that the person was sick, but you may be able to pursue a lawsuit on the grounds that the person was impaired. If the other driver was taking cold medicine, many cold medications are known to impair driving ability. Because of this, if you suspect that the other driver might have been sick or might have been driving while under the influence of cold medicine, you may want to call the police, report the accident, and determine whether there might be steps you can take to seek damages for your losses. Codeine and some over the counter cold medicines can potentially impair drivers. According to the FDA, there are certain medications that can impair driving ability. These medications include pain relievers, cold medicines containing codeine, sleeping pills, some cold remedies and over the counter medications, including allergy medicines. These medications can cause sleepiness, dizziness, cognitive impairment, excitability, nausea, and more.
Drivers who are experiencing serious coronavirus symptoms may also suffer from cognitive impairment or difficulty breathing. If you are very sick, think twice before driving, consider calling an ambulance for help, or ask a loved one to drive you to the doctor or hospital. Getting behind the wheel while suffering from the most serious symptoms of the coronavirus can potentially put you and loved ones at risk. Finally, if you’ve been hurt in a car accident and believe the other driver may have been sick or may have made an error behind the wheel because of impairment, the car accident lawyers at George R. Fusner, Jr. in Nashville, Tennessee may be able to help you seek damages for your losses. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Seek Help If You’ve Been Hurt in a Crash in Nashville
If you’ve been hurt in a crash in Nashville, Tennessee, you may only have a limited amount of time to seek damages for your medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. George R. Fusner, Jr. is a Nashville, Tennessee car accident attorney that may be able to help you with your case. Our law firm can review the details of your accident and determine whether the other driver might have been taking cold medicine or may have made an error behind the wheel. Contact our law firm today to learn more, or reach out to USAttorneys.com to get connected with the car accident lawyer at George R. Fusner, Jr. today.
