One of the surprising facts you’ll discover when investigating car accidents is that the most serious crashes occur at night. Despite the roads being less active at night, approximately 50% of serious car accidents and fatalities occur after dark.
There are higher numbers of nighttime accidents because driving at night has some risks that are not present during the day. Below are four common factors that increase the likelihood of serious accidents at night:
1. Limited visibility
Perhaps the most common cause of serious car accidents at night is reduced visibility. Whether streetlights are present or not, there is limited visibility when you drive at night. In addition, visibility may get poorer at certain times, such as during winter or rainy seasons.
2. Driver fatigue
Fatigued drivers may suffer lapses in attention, react more slowly, and fall asleep behind the wheel. This can be a more serious issue for truck drivers, who often drive for long hours and overnight to deliver shipments.
3. Impaired drivers
Because of cultural norms, people tend to drink more at night. Unfortunately, this increases the number of impaired drivers on the road, who may cause serious car crashes. Therefore, regardless of how carefully you drive, sharing the road with intoxicated drivers may put you at risk of getting into an accident.
4. Using the cell phone when driving
While using a cell phone when driving is illegal, many drivers still call or text while driving. The dangers of using a cell phone are more intense at night due to the bright screen light versus the darkness outside. Therefore, when a driver turns off the backlight, their eyes will need some time to adjust, and at this time, anything may happen.
Drivers who hit the road at night should exercise due caution. However, suppose you or a loved one sustains injuries in a nighttime accident caused by a negligent driver. In that case, you may be eligible to seek financial compensation for medical costs and other damages.