Late Night Car Accidents—What you should know
Over a million people are injured in car accidents each year with 40,000 people getting injured. Many people question whether or not the time of day impacts the likelihood of getting into a car accident.
With mitigating circumstances surrounding the time of day, the answer is yes, the time absolutely matters. It is imperative to understand this notion so you can stay safe on the road no matter what time it is.
Here are the facts about late-night car accidents and what you need to know:
Common Car Accident Injuries
Many car accidents result in drivers and passengers being injured. Here are the most common car accident injuries:
- Skin lacerations
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Death
Injuries can range from moderate to severe and may even result in death. It is essential to wear proper protection and keep your car maintained to ensure your safety in the event of a car collision.
Is Driving At Night More Dangerous?
Driving at night boasts inherently more risks than driving in the daytime. Here are the main reasons driving at night is more dangerous than daytime travel.
Compromised vision
The most poignant difference between day and night driving is visibility. Having to utilize headlights can alter perception and cause lower vision, thus leading to more car accidents. Studies show sound evidence exists that a driver’s ability is impeded under dim lighting.
Drivers over the age of 60 may struggle more due to poorer eyesight. Reaction times can be delayed as vision is not as astute as with daylight.
Fatigue
The majority of people are awake in the daytime and asleep at nighttime. This is the perfect recipe for disaster. If a driver is operating a vehicle in the late evening hours, their fatigue levels can drastically increase.
1 in 25 adult drivers have reported falling asleep behind the wheel. Even more adult drivers have admitted in a poll that they were driving sleep-deprived.
Driving intoxicated
The chances of impaired drivers on the road drastically increase after midnight. Many people head to the bars and enjoy late-night cocktails. Unfortunately, many of those people will get behind the wheel.
Drunk driving accidents typically occur after midnight—especially after bar closing hours. Around 75% of fatal crashes that occur between midnight and 3 a.m. involve alcohol or substances.
Speeding
More often than not, drivers tend to lead toward faster speeds at night. Lesser drivers are on the road after the midnight hour thus promoting more room to speed.
Driving faster than the posted legal limit can result in a tragic accident. Combined with low visibility and reaction times, this can be disastrous.
Glare
Today’s high-powered discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) headlights can be a great addition to see better in the dark. However, if you are on the receiving end of these lights, it can spell trouble.
These newer headlamps cause a glare that can feel blinding to oncoming traffic. Although world’s better than their predecessor, the halogen headlamps, new school headlights can cause accidents.
Seatbelt use
For some reason, drivers who operate a vehicle at nighttime are less likely to wear their seatbelts versus during the day. Some experts believe it is due to fewer cars on the road and a lesser presumed risk of an accident.
Research from the NHTSA showed that 58% of daytime fatal car accidents wore seatbelts. Only 30% of drivers in nighttime collisions wore a seatbelt.
Bottom Line
Driving at night is proven to be more dangerous than driving with natural sunlight. Vision is compromised, the glare from oncoming headlights can be blinding, the odds of drunk drivers on the road increase, and seatbelt use decreases.
Many people opt to not wear seatbelts and may even fall asleep behind the wheel. By taking the proper precautions, you can prevent a nighttime accident.
If you or a loved one are involved in a nighttime accident, contact our law firm today. We pride ourselves on our assertive approach to hold the wrongdoers accountable for their negligence. We can help you get the compensation you deserve to heal and have your car fixed or reimbursed. Our team of reputable Florida personal injury attorneys serves the greater areas of Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, and the entire State of Florida.