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Founding Member & Managing Partner at Gina Corena & Associates
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps. Tourists flood the Strip at all hours, casinos operate 24/7, and shift workers keep the city running around the clock. While this vibrant, nonstop energy is part of what makes Vegas unique, it also comes with an often-overlooked danger—driver fatigue.
Drowsy driving is responsible for thousands of accidents every year, many of them fatal. It impairs a driver’s ability to focus, slows reaction times, and can lead to microsleeps—brief moments where the brain literally shuts down. In a city where late nights and long hours are the norm, the risks of fatigue-related accidents are even higher.
Understanding the dangers of drowsy driving, recognizing its warning signs, and knowing the legal implications can help prevent devastating crashes. If you have been involved in an accident caused by driver fatigue, here are the rights you should know:
Drowsy driving happens when a person operates a vehicle while feeling excessively tired or sleep-deprived. It can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, impairing judgment, reaction time, and coordination.
A fatigued driver may:
Sleep deprivation doesn’t just happen after pulling an all-nighter. Even missing a few hours of sleep can have a significant impact on driving ability. Studies show that being awake for 18 hours straight impairs a driver as much as having a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (BAC)—just below the legal limit in many states.
“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving was responsible for 684 deaths in 2021, an 8.2% increase from the previous year.”
This growing problem puts drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk.
Las Vegas thrives on a nonstop work and entertainment culture. The city’s hospitality, transportation, and service industries demand long shifts and odd working hours, often disrupting regular sleep cycles.
Casino workers, hotel staff, and rideshare drivers often work overnight shifts, leaving them chronically sleep-deprived. Many rely on caffeine or energy drinks to push through, but these temporary fixes only mask the real problem.
For visitors, the excitement of Vegas leads to irregular sleep schedules, with many driving back to hotels or airports while exhausted. Combined with late-night highway travel, the risks of fatigue-related crashes increase significantly.
Drowsy driving accidents happen far more often than most people realize. Because fatigue-related crashes usually go unreported, the actual numbers are likely much higher than official estimates.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that:
“Studies indicate that one in five fatal crashes involves a drowsy driver. Unlike drunk drivers, fatigued drivers don’t always show visible signs of impairment, making them just as dangerous but harder to detect.”
When a driver is exhausted, their ability to make split-second decisions is compromised. This can result in:
Nevada does not have specific laws against drowsy driving, but fatigued drivers can still be held legally responsible for causing accidents.
A driver who causes a crash due to exhaustion may face:
Under Nevada’s comparative negligence law (NRS 41.141), if a fatigued driver is found partially responsible for an accident, their compensation will be reduced based on the percentage of their fault.
“For example, if a drowsy driver is 60% responsible for a crash, their total compensation is reduced by that percentage.”
Recognizing early warning signs of driver fatigue is key to preventing accidents. If you experience frequent yawning, lane drifting, or missing exits, you should pull over and rest.
Here’s a quick reference table to recognize signs of drowsy driving:
| Warning Sign | What It Means | Action to Take |
| Frequent yawning | Early sign of fatigue | Pull over and take a break |
| Lane drifting | Reduced focus and coordination | Switch drivers or stop |
| Hitting rumble strips | Temporary loss of control | Stop driving immediately |
| Microsleeps (nodding off) | Brain shutting down briefly | Find a safe place to rest |
Other ways to stay alert behind the wheel include:
Drowsy driving is a preventable hazard, but accidents still happen. If you’ve been involved in a fatigue-related crash, you may be entitled to compensation for:
At Gina Corena & Associates, we understand the devastating impact of drowsy driving accidents. Our team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims and securing the compensation they deserve.
If a fatigued driver has injured you or a loved one, we can help. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case and understand your legal options.
Drowsy driving is a silent but deadly hazard on Las Vegas roads. The city’s 24/7 lifestyle, long work shifts, and tourism-driven nightlife make fatigue-related accidents even more common. Driver fatigue impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and can lead to devastating crashes—many of which could have been prevented with proper rest and awareness.
Recognizing the warning signs of fatigue, such as the inability to focus, yawning, and drifting between lanes, is crucial for avoiding accidents. Taking proactive measures—getting enough sleep, taking regular breaks, and avoiding late-night driving—can significantly reduce the risk of drowsy driving crashes.
Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, other drivers may still put you at risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, you shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences alone. Nevada law allows you to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, but going through the legal process can be complex.
Don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact Gina Corena & Associates today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
