Are Cleveland Drivers at Greater Risk of a Crash as it Gets Darker Earlier in the Day?

Many people like the change back to standard time because they get an extra hour of sleep. However, shorter days also mean more drivers will be on the road after the sun goes down, increasing the risk of a crash.

Below, we explain the dangers of nighttime driving and how driver negligence can cause dangerous accidents that result in serious injuries.

If you were injured in a crash that happened at night, it is vital that you contact an experienced Cleveland car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. At our firm, there are no upfront costs, and we have obtained millions for Cleveland crash victims.

Why Nighttime Driving Can Be More Dangerous

The main reason driving at night is more dangerous is that it is harder for drivers to see, especially older drivers. This is because your night vision may worsen as you age.

The darkness can also impair your depth perception. This means it may be more likely for drivers to follow other cars too closely. Impaired depth perception can also slow your reaction time.

Once the sun goes down, you are more likely to be sharing the road with drivers who are intoxicated or fatigued. Many drivers on the road at this time are fatigued because of a lack of sleep or tired after a long day of work.

How Driver Negligence Can Cause Nighttime Car Crashes

Unfortunately, reckless drivers do not change their habits just because it is dark outside. No matter the hour, they may:

• Speed
• Tailgate other cars
• Make dangerous lane changes
• Run red lights

While these actions are dangerous at any time, they are particularly dangerous at night.

Distractions are also a huge problem at night. Drivers often do not realize how long their eyes are off the road when they are using their smartphones. They may be on their way home on a route they have taken many times before. Familiarity often makes drivers think they are at less risk of a crash.

Darkness impairs reaction time, so drivers have less time to react to a reckless driver, such as one who is speeding or changing lanes without signaling.

Sometimes the only reason an accident does not happen is because another driver makes defensive maneuvers, such as slowing down or changing lanes.

Drivers who fail to turn on their headlights or drive with broken taillights create a significant risk for others on the road. While some of these drivers may not realize they have a taillight out, other drivers know it but choose not to fix it. Cars without working lights are much harder to see and they can increase the risk of a rear-end crash.

These are all examples of driver negligence and when negligence results in a crash, drivers can be held liable for damages. Victims injured in these crashes have the burden of proof, which means they need to provide evidence of the other driver’s negligence.

How an Attorney Can Help Victims of Crashes at Night

Proving driver negligence can be a challenge, particularly if the accident happened at night. Drivers often have a tough time explaining what happened during a nighttime collision because it is harder to see in the dark. The accident may have happened so quickly that it was tough for the victim to understand what was happening.

This is why crash victims should consider contacting an experienced lawyer to help them build a strong case. Lawyers with a history of proven results have demonstrated proof that they have helped many crash victims. Having a history of success also highlights attorneys who have detailed knowledge of how to evaluate a crash, determine what happened, and how driver negligence played a role. Sometimes lawyers may bring in other experts, like accident reconstruction specialists, to gather additional data about the accident.

At Friedman, Domiano and Smith, our lawyers:

• Handle the investigation
• Communicate with the insurance company
• Evaluate your medical bills and other damages
• Prepared to go to trial if the insurance company does not make a fair offer

Some crash victims may question why they need a lawyer. They may think they can manage the process on their own. However, this is tough to do when you have a serious injury and you do not have the experience with the legal process that a lawyer possesses.

Our firm handles injury claims every day, and we have obtained millions in compensation for crash victims. We have taken on many insurance companies and obtained favorable results for our clients.

When you hire our firm, you do not need to worry about figuring out what to do next, or how to get the evidence you need to prove your case. You also do not need to stress over how to negotiate a fair settlement with insurers. You can simply focus on healing and let us take care of the rest.

Reducing Your Risk of a Crash as the Days Get Shorter

You should not drive the same way at night as you do during the day. There are several things you should do differently at night, including:

• Slowing down
• Leaving more room between your car and the car in front of you
• Using extra caution when making turns in front of oncoming traffic

There are other things you should do no matter the hour, but particularly after the sun goes down:

• Never assume you are not going to get into an accident because you are on a familiar route; you need to stay alert whenever you are behind the wheel
• Put your phone down and keep your eyes on the road
• If you are too tired to drive, pull over somewhere safe to rest and do not get back on the road until you feel OK to drive

Before driving, you need to be intentional about getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep will affect you during the daytime but it is even more dangerous at night. You should also make sure your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses is up to date.

If you are driving in heavy traffic, do not tailgate, keep an eye out for other drivers who are changing lanes, and be extra cautious when making turns.

Call Friedman, Domiano and Smith After an Ohio Car Crash

Visibility is not great at night, which can make it harder for crash victims to explain what happened during a collision. This is particularly true if there was bad lighting, or if the crash happened at high speed.

These are just a few reasons why crash victims should work with an experienced lawyer. The attorneys at Friedman, Domiano and Smith know how to gather evidence no matter when the collision happened.

We are committed to helping crash victims recover full compensation and our services come at no upfront cost.