Night Driving Accidents
Massachusetts Lawyer Representing Victims of Auto Collisions
Some studies suggest that accidents resulting in fatalities are three times more common at night compared to daytime driving. This is unsurprising considering how much darkness can impact a driver’s ability assess what is happening up ahead on the roadway. Most of a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes on the road is related to vision and the ability to see, including depth perception, color recognition, peripheral vision, and more. There are also more incidences of drunk and drugged driving at night when people tend to frequent bars and restaurants for alcohol consumption. If there is severe weather at night, the road can be even more dangerous. A compassionate Massachusetts car accident attorney at our firm may be able to help if you need legal representation after a car crash such as a night driving accident.
Night Driving Accidents
Twilight can be one of the most troublesome times to drive because as the sun sets, it can shine directly in a west-bound driver’s eyes. There are also many hazards in the evening including deer, which tend to be more active from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the fall months. In the more rural areas of Massachusetts, the deer population can be incredibly active. Also, although drunk driving is a crime, there are countless situations in which drivers get behind the wheel after having too many alcoholic beverages. Over half of car accidents that take place at night are the result of drunk driving.
Although these are examples of extraordinarily dangerous conditions at night, there are common situations that are dangerous during the daytime that are made even more threatening during the nighttime hours. If someone is speeding, engaging in distracted driving, tailgating, or making unsafe lane changes, then it can be even harder for a driver to avoid a collision with one of these drivers when it is dark. Severe weather also plays a part in nighttime driving accidents. Heavy rain, snow, ice, and other winter weather conditions can make for incredibly slippery roads. It can be impossible to identify patches of ice at night when visibility is low.
Although some nighttime accidents cannot be avoided, you can help protect yourself by cleaning your taillights regularly, ensuring that you use signals, and driving appropriately for the weather and road conditions. This means driving slower than the speed limit in some instances.
Recover the Compensation That You Deserve
If you were involved in a night driving accident, then you may be eligible for compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. The first step of the lawsuit requires showing that the other driver owed you a duty to drive with reasonable care and skill but failed to act according to that duty at the time of the accident. In general, drivers owe other motorists and pedestrians a duty to obey traffic laws, pay attention to the roadway, and refrain from things like drunk or distracted driving. It can be difficult to identify whether the other driver was looking at his or her cellphone or whether he or she was speeding at the time of the accident, especially at night when it is dark. A police report can be a great way to identify whether the other driver was engaging in some form of negligent conduct.
The next stages of the lawsuit involve showing that you were injured as a direct result of the other driver’s failure to use good judgment and due care. If some other factor was involved in the crash such as a poorly designed roadway or even your own negligence, then you may not be eligible for compensation. A seasoned car accident lawyer can help you analyze your claim to determine whether there are any issues with establishing each of these elements.
When it comes to compensation, injured persons who are able to establish negligence can seek damages for past and future estimated medical bills, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Meet With a Diligent Car Accident Attorney in Massachusetts
People who are injured in car accidents in Massachusetts usually have countless questions about their rights following the crash. We offer a free consultation with a seasoned injury lawyer to discuss your situation and whether you may be entitled to compensation. We are available to serve clients in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Newton, Waltham, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Brookline, Norwood, and Peabody. Call our seasoned legal team at (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.
