25 Crash Causes: Night Driving

Most of us have driven home at night with no troubles. However, night driving, especially in rural areas with low visibility, can be dangerous and lead to fatal car accidents. In fact, night driving is among the top 25 causes of car accidents.

Did you know that traffic fatality rates are three times higher at night than during the day? When depth perception and peripheral vision are limited by lack of lighting, a driver’s reaction to abrupt movements on the road can be delayed. Senior drivers, adults who wear glasses or contacts or otherwise have some kind of vision impairment, and inexperienced teenagers might all have more problems navigating in darkness, and should take extra precautions when driving after sunset.

In addition, driving late at night while sleepy, drowsy, or simply tired can increase one’s risk for a serious crash. Research studies show that extreme fatigue has a similar effect to alcohol intoxication, and can cause lapses in judgment and concentration. If you’re forced to drive during regular sleeping hours or after a long day, it is best to take a break at a rest stop or drink a caffeinated beverage before continuing ahead.

Preventing Night Driving Accidents

According to the National Safety Council, there are several measures you can take to minimize the dangers of nighttime driving. A few of their recommendations include:

• Prepare your car ahead of time by cleaning headlights, taillights, turn signals, and windows to maximize visibility.
• Avoid smoking while driving since carbon monoxide from cigarettes can hamper night vision.
• Make sure your headlights are turned on and aimed properly as soon as the sun goes down.
• Dim to low lights when there are oncoming vehicles or when you’re following another car. You should use high beams in unfamiliar and very dark areas, around construction zones, or during the presence of fog, mist, and other inclement weather conditions.
• Reduce driving speed and increase your car’s distance behind other vehicles.
• Take regular snack and rest breaks while driving for long stretches alone.

How a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Unfortunately, some car accidents are unpreventable, and can happen to anyone. Nighttime accidents can present particular challenges since you might not notice injuries or car damage until the next day.

If you recently suffered physical harm due to another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer, such as those at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., can help assess your prospective case, and prepare a legal claim against the liable party.

Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. We have successfully won settlements on behalf of other victims to cover the cost of medical expenses, treatment plans, physical therapy, hospital visits, ambulance bills, car repair payments, and other accident-related expenses. Call us today at (312) 236-2900 for a free initial consultation to find out what we may be able to do for you.

Don’t miss this article: Top 25 Causes of Car Accidents and What You Can Do To Prevent Them. For this month of October, the Illinois attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. will be developing a blog series breaking down these leading causes of car crashes.