Sleeping Pills Can Greatly Increase Morning Driving Risks

Millions of Americans turn to popular drugs like Ambien and Restoril when they need help getting a full nights sleep. The next morning, they wake up, jump in the car and head to work without thinking twice.

Unfortunately, a new study shows that hopping in the car the next morning may be putting them and others on the road at risk.

New research indicates that the most popular sleeping pills can stay in the blood for longer periods of time and at higher levels than once thought, greatly impairing a drivers ability.

Driving while under the influence of anything, whether it is alcohol or sleeping aids, can have dangerous consequences for everyone on the road. If you have fallen victim to this type of negligent driving, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Call the Fort Worth car accident attorney at Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP at (817) 920-9000 to discuss your legal rights.

The study found that some of the most popular sleep aids can more than double a persons risk for being involved in an accident. Specifically, they found that:

• People taking Restoril had a 27 percent greater risk for being involved in an accident than non-users
• Users of Desyrel had nearly double the risk
• Ambien users were more than twice as likely to be involved in an accident

Furthermore, these risks are equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration level between 0.06 and 0.11 percent. The legal limit is 0.08.

These findings support the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations warnings in 2013 about the potentially hazardous effects these pills can have when a patient gets behind the wheel with these drugs are still in their system.

Our drunk driving accident lawyers take impaired driving very seriously and have years of experience defending the rights of those injured by compromised drivers.

A personal injury attorney from our firm can provide honest and dependable legal advice for those who have been injured by impaired drivers. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

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