Metairie Fatigued Driving Accident Lawyer

You Shouldn’t Have to Pay Because Someone Irresponsibly Drove When Exhausted

Driving while drowsy is one of the most underestimated dangers on Louisiana roads. A driver who has been awake for too long or is struggling to stay alert can be just as impaired as someone under the influence of alcohol. Fatigued drivers experience slowed reaction times, reduced awareness, and impaired judgment, often leading to devastating collisions. When that negligence causes harm, victims deserve justice and fair compensation.



At the Law Office of Donald D’Aunoy Jr., victims of fatigued driving accidents in Metairie and the surrounding Jefferson Parish area can find trusted legal guidance and relentless representation.

Fatigued Driving

Fatigue affects everyone differently, but studies show that a person who has been awake for more than 18 hours performs as poorly as someone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. After 24 hours, the impairment level equals a BAC of 0.10%, well above the legal limit. Despite this, many people get behind the wheel while dangerously tired, often after long work shifts or overnight travel, or stay on the road even when it’s no longer safe. Common causes of fatigued driving include:

• Overnight or extended work hours, especially among shift workers and truck drivers
• Sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea
• Long-distance travel without sufficient breaks
• Medication side effects that cause drowsiness
• Monotonous highway driving, which can quickly lull an overtired driver into microsleep

A fatigued driver may drift between lanes, fail to brake in time, or not notice changing traffic conditions, creating severe risks for everyone on the road.

Warning Signs of Driver Fatigue

Recognizing the early signs of fatigue can prevent tragedy. Common red flags include:

• Frequent yawning or blinking
• Missing traffic signs or exits
• Difficulty maintaining lane position or speed
• Head nodding or drifting onto the shoulder
• Forgetting the last few miles driven

Unfortunately, many fatigued drivers continue driving despite these warnings, putting others in harm’s way. When a collision occurs, proving that fatigue played a role often requires detailed investigation and experienced legal advocacy.

Proving Fatigue in an Accident Claim

Unlike alcohol or drug impairment, fatigue leaves no physical trace. This makes evidence collection critical. Lawyer Don uses every available resource to establish that fatigue was a contributing factor in the crash, including:

• Driver logs and work schedules showing extended hours or overnight shifts
• Cell phone records to confirm travel duration or lack of rest breaks
• Witness statements describing erratic driving before impact
• Vehicle data (from event recorders) showing failure to brake or steering corrections
• Medical or employment records supporting a pattern of sleep deprivation

By building a strong case supported by factual evidence, Lawyer Don can demonstrate that the at-fault driver acted negligently by operating a vehicle while dangerously fatigued.