The Legal Implications of Drowsy Driving Accidents in Boston
Published in Uncategorized on October 9, 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers is proud to serve Boston and communities throughout Massachusetts with compassionate, results-driven legal advocacy. While most people understand the dangers of drunk or distracted driving, far fewer realize that drowsy driving can be just as deadly. Fatigued motorists cause thousands of crashes every year, and in busy urban areas like Boston, with its congested intersections, commuter traffic, and late-night activity, the risks are especially high.
Understanding the legal implications of drowsy driving is essential for victims who need justice and accountability after a serious crash.
Why Drowsy Driving Is So Dangerous
Studies show that drowsy driving impairs reaction time, awareness, and decision-making in ways similar to alcohol. In fact, the CDC notes that being awake for 18 hours can impair driving as much as having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. After 24 hours without sleep, impairment is closer to a BAC of 0.10% — well above the legal limit in Massachusetts.
Common scenarios where drowsy driving occurs include:
- Late-night commutes after long work shifts.
- College students traveling between Boston and surrounding towns.
- Truck drivers on long hauls along I-93 or the Mass Pike.
- Shift workers leaving hospitals such as Massachusetts General or Brigham and Women’s after overnight schedules.
Massachusetts Law and Drowsy Driving
Unlike drunk driving, there is no specific criminal statute in Massachusetts for drowsy driving alone. However, motorists can still face serious legal consequences if fatigue leads to a crash.
- Civil liability: If a fatigued driver causes an accident, they may be held responsible for medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
- Negligence standard: Courts may treat falling asleep at the wheel as negligence per se — a clear breach of the duty of care owed to other drivers.
- Commercial drivers: Truck drivers and bus operators are subject to federal hours-of-service regulations. Violating these rules can strengthen a victim’s case.
This means that drowsy drivers can and should be held to the same standard of accountability as drunk or distracted drivers.
Proving a Drowsy Driving Claim
Unlike alcohol or drugs, fatigue does not show up on a chemical test. That makes proving liability more challenging, but not impossible. At Sweeney Merrigan, our attorneys use every available source of evidence to demonstrate negligence. This may include:
- Police reports documenting the driver’s statements or behavior at the scene.
- Cell phone and work records showing long hours or lack of rest.
- Surveillance or dashcam footage showing erratic driving patterns.
- Eyewitness testimony about the driver drifting, swerving, or closing their eyes.
- Expert analysis of accident reconstruction and sleep science.
Building a strong case requires thorough investigation, and our firm has the resources and experience to uncover the truth.
You don’t have to handle this alone. Call Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers in Boston today for a free consultation.
Why These Cases Matter in Boston
Boston’s dense neighborhoods and commuter-heavy roadways mean that a single drowsy driver can put dozens of others at risk. Intersections in Back Bay, South Boston, Dorchester, and Cambridge see constant traffic flow, and fatigue-related crashes can cause serious harm to drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Hospitals throughout the city often treat fatigue-related accident victims, with cases ranging from whiplash and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. For many families, the financial and emotional impact is overwhelming.
Holding Drowsy Drivers Accountable
Victims of drowsy driving accidents deserve full compensation for:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one
Insurance companies may try to downplay drowsy driving claims, arguing that fatigue is “unprovable.” That’s where experienced counsel makes the difference.
At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we fight back against these tactics, ensuring that victims and their families have a voice in the legal system.
Injured by a fatigued driver? Let Sweeney Merrigan fight for the justice you deserve.
Taking the Next Step
If you or a loved one were harmed in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, you have legal options. Our Boston-based legal team has decades of combined experience handling car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims throughout Massachusetts.
No matter where you are in your recovery, the right legal support can make all the difference. Call Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation — and take your next step toward justice and recovery.