Getting sick these days is something that is on everyone’s mind and has impacted the entire way that people are living life around the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Something that is not commonly discussed, however, is how being sick affects a person’s ability to function and complete normal tasks safely. Driving ability is one undertaking that has been found to be reduced when a person is not feeling well. For example, a person that has contracted COVID-19 has the potential to experience neurobehavioral symptoms such as dizziness, fogginess, inability to think clearly, muscle discomfort, inability to taste or smell, headaches, lethargy, and extreme weakness. Clearly, if a person is having several of these side effects from the virus, then driving while sick which is an action that requires attention, alertness, and clear thinking, is most likely not going to be a good idea.
A driver who does not have the ability to operate their motor vehicle effectively and securely poses a considerable risk to others on the road. When a person is feeling under the weather they may also be taking medications to help them manage their symptoms which could have side effects altering their ability to properly drive their car. A reckless driver can cause traffic accidents that are catastrophic and if you were hit and injured by a negligent driver in Virginia Beach, speaking with a proficient and experienced Virginia Beach car accident attorney will be beneficial. Virginia Beach Injury Law is known for handling catastrophic Hampton Roads car accidents and securing the most money for victims from their Virginia Beach personal injury claim.
Is Being Sick and Driving As Dangerous as Being Drunk?
COVID-19 certainly has the potential to make it very difficult to drive for someone that is symptomatic, just the way other viruses can. Even the common cold has been shown to be problematic for drivers. According to studies out of the U.K., when a person has a cold and drives, their ability to properly operate their vehicle decreases by 50%. That is a considerable reduction in functionality. To put it in perspective, a person who is ill could be just as dangerous when driving their car as a person who drank 12 ounces of whiskey or eight shots.
The research showed that drivers who were under the weather drove much more erratically than healthy drivers. Their reaction time was lagging, they had a harder time focusing on their surroundings, and they would engage their brakes more often and unexpectedly than their healthy counterparts. If you get behind the wheel of your car when you are not feeling your best, you could be putting yourself and others on the road at increased risk for injuries and even death from a horrific car accident. The best thing to do, if you can, is to stay at home when you are sick because you can avoid the potential for a devastating car accident while keeping others from being exposed to what is in your system that is causing your illness.
Speak to a Virginia Beach Catastrophic Car Accident Attorney Today
There are many reasons why car accidents in Norfolk happen. When you already know you are exhibiting symptoms of a cold that is making you struggle just to get through the day, you are most likely not fit to drive. Should a Virginia Beach car accident happen, meeting with a talented Virginia Beach catastrophic injury attorney during a free consultation can help you get the compensation you need for all of your damages. Call Virginia Beach Injury Law today at (757) 802-4662.
