According to the National Safety Council, the risk of a fatal vehicle accident is three times greater at night. The risk is even higher when Daylight Savings Time ends and the nighttime hours extend right into rush hour traffic. While you can take steps to keep you and your family safe, you cannot control the actions of negligent drivers who may cause a crash. However, our experienced car accident attorneys are here to help you obtain the compensation that you deserve from the negligent driver.
Common Reasons That Accidents Occur at Night
There are a variety of reasons that crashes are more likely to occur at night, and some are due to the unique challenges of nighttime driving. Common causes of these wrecks include:
- Vision. Reduced vision can make it difficult for drivers to see at night and is an increasing problem as drivers age.
- Drowsy. Driving when fatigued is especially dangerous at night when drivers may have to fight to stay awake or fall asleep while driving.
- Impaired driving. Impaired drivers are more likely to be on the road at nighttime than during the day. They can cause a crash due to impaired vision, slowed reaction times, falling asleep, poor judgment, and more.
- Speeding. Drivers at night who speed are even more likely to cause a wreck due to their reduced vision as well as reckless driving practices.
Follow These Steps to Help Avoid Nighttime Car Accidents
You can take steps to keep you and your family safe when driving at night. Here are safety tips to help avoid being the victim of a wreck:
- Keep your headlights clean and adjusted to the proper level to avoid blinding other drivers with them.
- Dim your dashboard lights to reduce the need for your eyes to adjust between different levels of brightness constantly.
- If another driver’s lights are blinding you, focus on the white line at the right edge of the road to avoid the glare.
- Don’t smoke in your car at night, as the carbon monoxide can reduce your night vision.
- Keep additional distance between the car ahead of you and your vehicle at night.
- Never drive when you are intoxicated due to drug or alcohol use.
- Make sure you are properly rested before driving at night.
- Pull over and take a nap if you get drowsy when driving at night. Also, schedule breaks if you must drive during the nighttime hours.
Contact Us for Help With Filing Your Nighttime Accident Claim
If you or a loved one were injured in a nighttime auto accident, our experienced car accident attorneys can help file your claim and negotiate your settlement with the negligent driver’s insurance company. To get your questions answered and learn about our extensive experience handling these cases, call our office today to schedule your free consultation.
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