A car accident can happen at any time of day. Many people are injured in car accidents in the early morning hours as they commute to work. Others are injured during midday crashes, such as when they are on vacation or driving to a restaurant for lunch. You always need to be wary of the risks on the road, which are often posed by other drivers.
That said, statistics do indicate that car accidents are more likely later in the day. During the spring and summer, for instance, the highest rate of fatal car accidents is from around 8 p.m. to midnight. Some of these accidents happen because drivers are out late drinking, especially on the weekends, but there can also be related issues like fatigue, lack of visibility once it gets dark and much more.
Changing with the seasons
In other seasons, though, the fatal crash rate is highest a bit earlier in the day. During the winter, from November to March, some studies have found that the peak for fatal accidents is generally between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Part of the reason for this may simply be that it gets dark earlier, so issues like a lack of visibility or driver fatigue could still be very impactful.
Non-fatal crashes tend to happen a bit earlier. For instance, in the summer, when fatal accidents are peaking after 8 o’clock in the evening, non-fatal accidents actually peak between noon and 3:59 p.m. This does suggest that accidents later in the day tend to be more severe, even if crashes do technically happen around the clock.
Seeking compensation
Have you been injured in an accident another driver caused, or have you lost a loved one? Be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and much more.