It’s springtime and things are starting to finally warm up in West Virginia as we make our way toward the summer months. While this might be exciting in some ways, it can also be problematic since more and more people start hitting the roadways for vacation and trips. In doing so, the roadways become more and more clogged, which can contribute to traffic accidents.
There are many warm weather conditions that lead to car accidents in the spring and summer months. Today, we want to identify a few so that you can be prepared for anything and hopefully prevent accidents on our roads.
Lead Contributors to Warm Weather Accidents
Nearly 54% of all car accidents take place during the spring and summer months, which is why it is always a good idea to stay prepared for anything on our roads.
Increased Rate of Pedestrians: In 2017, the rate of pedestrian accidents decreased from the years before due to the safety measures that many states have taken to prevent these accidents. As the warm weather picks up in the springtime, this means that more pedestrians will be outside, which could contribute to serious injuries and fatalities to those involved.
Road Rage Events: When drivers are uncomfortable, everything could start to bother them. You might be feeling sweaty and unhappy as you make your way home from work, and suddenly somebody merges in front of you. To get back at them, you give their vehicle a little nudge from behind. These are road rage actions that can lead to a severe accident. Retaliating without thinking of the consequences can lead to serious results.
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Vacationers: Of course, with spring and summer comes the vacation months. Traffic could be extremely heavy during the springtime, which means that heavy braking, swerving, and many other actions could take place on our roads.
Sun Glare: Sun glare is just another part of our environment, but extremely serious accidents can occur because of it. You could very easily experience visibility issues due to glare, which could temporarily blind you so that you lose control of your vehicle. Many people try to combat this by wearing sunglasses, but these can cause visibility issues of their own.
Decreased Visibility from Rain/Fog: Of course, rain and fog are other conditions that take place in the spring months and can cause visibility issues that can lead to serious accidents. Traffic might slow down suddenly and, during a torrential downpour, drivers might lose control, especially if it happens unexpectedly in the middle of driving. Drivers tend to continue on as normal, thinking themselves immune to accidents, instead of taking precautions in these situations, not knowing that a major collision could be right around the corner.
Drowsy Driving: Your energy level might be down in the springtime months, especially as the weather starts to warm and take a toll on your body. You might become sleepy on the roads, which can make you less aware of your surroundings, an all-around dangerous scenario.
Turning to the Experts
At any time of the year, the threat of a serious accident could take place. This is why it is extremely important to have an attorney on your side who understands the severity of your car accident and can help you bring a West Virginia personal injury claim in your time of need. At Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, our experienced attorneys are well-versed in the many laws regarding these accident cases and are willing to help you through this challenging time. Please contact us at (304) 713-2014 for more information on how we can assist you.