Understanding The Increased Risk Of Car Accidents When Driving At Night
Auto accidents can and do happen around the clock, but driving at night can be especially risky. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that approximately 50% of fatal car accidents occur when it is dark.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a nighttime motor vehicle accident caused by a negligent driver, our attorneys at Power Rogers, LLP, will investigate your case, explain your legal options and help you pursue full and fair compensation. Our practice is almost entirely devoted to injury law, and since our firm was founded in 1993, we have recovered more than $5 billion on behalf of clients.
Why Nighttime Driving Is So Dangerous
There are many risk factors to explain why being on the road after dark is dangerous. Some of the most common are described below.
Drowsy and fatigued driving: The feeling of being tired is so common that most people underestimate the dangers of drowsy driving. But sleep deprivation and driving late at night (when one would normally be asleep) can significantly slower reaction time and lead to nodding off behind the wheel. Such behaviors can be as dangerous as driving drunk. Driver fatigue is especially common among commercial truck drivers, who have inconsistent sleep schedules and often stay on the road well past the point of impairment.
Drunk driving: Alcohol-impaired drivers can get behind the wheel at any time of day, but this behavior is far more common after dark. Drunk driving accidents are a major problem in the United States, causing countless injuries and more than 10,000 deaths each year.
Visibility issues: Many people, especially as they age, experience visual difficulties when driving in the dark. The low lighting contrasted with high-powered headlights put additional strain on the eyes, leading to an increased risk of crashes.
Inadequate infrastructure: Some nighttime driving accidents can be attributed to the absence of infrastructure like street lighting, reflective road markings and signage that is easy to read in lower light. Even if these areas are relatively safe when the sun is out, the situation may be very different after dark.
Speeding and aggressive driving: Drivers are more likely to violate traffic laws if they believe that no one can see them. The fact that roads are less congested at night also encourages speeding. Unfortunately, these driver behaviors put others – especially pedestrians and bicyclists – at significantly increased risk of injury and death.
Lack of eyewitnesses and video evidence can make it more difficult to prove liability for a nighttime car accident. But as soon as you hire us, our attorneys set to work investigating your accident, gathering evidence and building a case against the at-fault driver.
Contact Us For A Free Discussion Of Your Legal Options
Power Rogers, LLP, is based in Chicago, and we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas of Illinois. To speak to one of our skilled and caring attorneys during a free consultation, reach out online or call our office at 312-500-1792.
