40% of fatal car accidents happen at night, even though there are 60% fewer cars on the road. Much of this has to do with a lack of visibility, as well as the increased number of drunk drivers behind the wheel. Collisions change at night, both in cause and in severity. You have to be prepared for them if you drive in the dark because they do work differently than daytime accidents. Here is a look at how car accidents change at night so you can make adjustments in the future.
Car Lights
It is your responsibility to turn on your headlights whenever it is dark outside. This allows you to see the road better, and it helps people see you. If you are in an accident with a car that had no lights on, the other party would be held responsible. It is their fault that they either didn’t see you or you didn’t see them because they didn’t have their lights on. Even read end accidents (which are always the fault of the driver in the back) will be the cause of the lightless driver because of how things change at night. Keep your lights on, and you won’t have to worry about that.
Pedestrians
You should always keep an eye out for pedestrians on the road, but you cannot necessarily be held liable for an accident involving one at night. Joggers, bikers, and walkers are supposed to wear protective clothing when they are out at night. Cyclists are also supposed to have reflectors on their bikes to ensure that cars can see them. If you unintentionally hit a person in the street without a reflector on, you won’t be held responsible. That would never happen in the day time.
Signs
Road signs are supposed to be made with reflective paint so they will show up at night. If you go by an area without that kind of signage, then you won’t be responsible for anything to come. For instance, you could actually sue the city for personal injury if you are involved in an accident in an unmarked construction site. Hopefully that would never happen, but it is a possibility.
Adjust your driving to fit the dark, and avoid accidents as much as possible. If you are involved in one that results from someone else’s negligence, talk to a personal injury lawyer about getting financial compensation. You may not be able to avoid a wreck entirely, but you can seek reparation afterward. All you need is an experienced attorney with you to get the job done.
About the Author: Laura Whineburg speaks to a lot of police officers for her work on MyCriminalJusticeCareers.com. She has learned about traffic patterns, crime, and more, and now she is passing the information onto you.
