Thanksgiving Traffic Accidents – Why Do So Many Happen? Firefox, or This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Visit our professional site ». Running Red Lights – Why Are They Increasing So Much. Pearland, TX 77581, lawyers who work with people injured in auto accidents, Lawyers who handle personal injury claims, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Threats: Crash Stats, National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubMed Central, Medicine (Baltimore), Life-threatening Motor Vehicle Crashes in Bright Sunlight. Second only to slick or icy roads, auto accident lawyers can attest that even just a moment of glare that affects a driver’s vision can have devastating results. Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. It plays a part in nearly 3,000 accidents every year with drivers at risk of being temporarily ‘blinded’ by the dazzle of the sun on the windscreen. Q: I was driving up a hill to a signal, going the speed limit. The law assumes that the driver should plan for all predictable possibilities, including the high likelihood of sun glare. Bright sunlight is directly related to car accidents that happen in the morning and afternoon. When a driver's field of vision is compromised, the driver is in a precarious position. You can take all the precautions in the world to prevent a sun glare collision, but unfortunately, you cannot control what other drivers do. Sun glare is a common cause of car accidents in Massachusetts. Although drivers have no control over sun glare, it is not a viable excuse for causing a car crash, falling into the same category as icy roads, snowstorms, heavy rains, or animals running into the road. While sun induced glare only occurs during certain times of the day in fair weather, headlight glare is an ever-present hazard at night. Common Causes of Sun Glare Car Accidents . Sun glare occurs when the sun is rising or setting and it effectively blinds a driver on the road. Tips for driving into the sun and avoiding sun glare The sun was setting, and it just plain blinded me. Premium Login; Pass the First Time, Guaranteed. One recent study has shown that serious car accidents increase by 16% when it's very sunny and glare is present. Sun glare can contribute to accidents by temporarily blinding the driver from clearly seeing another vehicle, road markings and lane changes, construction sites, and pedestrians. When the motorist's sight is impaired, they are immediately placed in a precarious situation. Injured in a Sun Glare Accident in South Carolina? Parents – Protect Your Teen Drivers With These Tips! A driver temporarily blinded by the bright light may inadvertently cause an accident, but sun glare is not a liability defense. Follow these simple tips to avoid getting into a St. Louis car accident caused by sun glare. The problem that personal injury lawyers face when overseeing accident cases where sun glare was a factor is how to establish fault. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sun glare is the culprit behind only a few hundred accidents in the U.S. every year. Even though sun glare cannot be avoided, the fact is that if a driver causes an accident because of it, they can still be held liable. Most drivers do not anticipate sun glare and thus do not have enough time to react when the sun overtakes them. Although good driving conditions will always be a clear and sunny day, research on the effects of sun glare suggests that the brighter the day, the higher the risk of a glare-related accident. Compensation for Car Accidents Caused by Sun Glare in Los Angeles. Sun glare is when the sunlight obstructs a vehicle’s windshield. Many sun glare accidents happen at an intersection when a driver cannot see traffic signals or other motorists on the road. This makes it very difficult for a driver to see anything on the road in front of them. Many people believe that as long as the roads are dry and the sun is shining, driving hazards are few and far between. 1U.S. However, there are a number of precautions you can take to avoid an accident… According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sun glare, an incident that occurs when the sun temporarily blinds drivers and impairs their ability to see the road, only causes a few hundred accidents in the U.S. a year. Safe driving and preventing injury car accidents are directly related to clear vision and an unobstructed view. Hot legal news! But studies show, sunny days can be even more hazardous. Search, sun glare causes a few hundred accidents per year, domestically, Find Personal Injury Attorneys In Your Area, What Kinds of Damages May I Claim for Car Accidents, Regularly clean your windshield and dashboard, Avoid driving into the sun by either altering your route or driving hours, Wear polarized sunglasses, which cut down glare significantly, Leave more space between your car and other drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. Injury claim attorneys see increasingly more of these accidents related to road glare as well as windshield glare that reflects off other objects. Some other organizations like AAA dispute this. Based on this study the data indicates that glare from headlamps as well as sunlight is a contributing factor in car accidents. Although a high number of the accidents that injury claim attorneys see result from distracted driving, visual impairment is yet another cause of these events. 1 Second only to slick or icy roads, auto accident lawyers can attest that even just a moment of glare that affects a driver’s vision can have devastating results. Driving-Tests.org. Pedestrians Safety in Crosswalks – What Is The Law in Texas? These tips will keep you safe while driving in direct sunlight. Unfortunately, many auto accident lawyers see that visibility issues due to sun glare can be more prominent on days when it is clear and sunny. In the case before the court the defendant driver was making a left hand turn, turning west, at 4:05 pm in late February. Can a driver use this as an excuse to avoid liability? Sun glare occurs when the sun’s light reflects off of surfaces near the road, impairing drivers’ vision and creating the perfect conditions for a serious car accident. Lawyers who handle personal injury claims recommend keeping sunglasses in the car and using them on especially bright days to prevent a crash. The answer is no. SUN-blindness may explain why a woman smashed through level crossing boom gates into the path of train at Dandenong yesterday morning. Utilize polarized sunglasses, which help to reduce glare from the sun. For those of us that like driving, there are few things nicer than hitting the road on a sunny day. Block on Trump's Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court, Judges Can Release Secret Grand Jury Records, Politicians Can't Block Voters on Facebook, Court Rules. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sun glare results in hundreds of accidents each year in our country. Given these figures, can drivers successfully escape liability by blaming the sun? But what if hope fails you? Driver's are expected to use reasonable care in operating their vehicle at all times, and this includes sunrise and sunset, which, by nature, are reasonably predictable. Although sun glare often happens suddenly, a driver who hits another driver’s vehicle because of sun glare could still be held liable for medical bills, lost wages, and similar damages. Google Chrome, I slowed down, quickly pulled down the visor, even leaned forward to try to see, bu… A study on bright sunlight and the incidence of life-threatening motor vehicle accidents indicates that while there is an average accident risk on a day with normal sunlight, that risk increases by 16% when it is exceedingly sunny and glare is increased.2. Toll Free:888-277-7413 Sun glare is actually a very common cause of accidents in the United States. Sun glare on wet pavement is being blamed for nine crashes involving 25 cars Tuesday morning. Use your vehicle’s visor or wear a brimmed hat to prevent the sun from shining directly into your eyes. As a driver, if you were involved in a car accident where you believe sun glare was a factor, it is always advised to contact a skilled car accident lawyer for guidance. But, the sun does not relive drivers of liability for causing an accident and injuries. All rights reserved. Most sun glare accidents occur at intersections; primarily because the driver blinded by sun glare failed to see traffic control devices or others sharing the road. Although you may not be able to control the position of the sun, there are a number of precautions you can take to prevent the sun from causing an accident. Are you a legal professional? The sun sets earlier in the evening, and there are few, if any, leaves on the trees. Contact Peake & Fowler for Legal Help. Sun glare is unavoidable, so who is to blame for a car accident? Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location. Sun glare is a common cause of accidents in the United States. If the glare from the sun causes you to get in a car accident, are you liable? This little bit of pre-planning can significantly reduce the chance of being involved in a glare-related crash and needing the help of an injury claim attorney! Microsoft Edge. Sun Glare Held not to be an Excuse for Car Accident New York State's highest court, the Court of Appeals, yesterday decided a case holding that a sun glare was not a valid excuse for causing a motor vehicle accident. In most states, liability is rather clear and the courts assess fault with the sun-blinded driver who should have known to wear sunglasses or make other attempts to prevent being affected by sun glare. Some suggestion include: If you have been injured in a car accident, and the other driver expects for you to dismiss his or her fault due to sun glare, contact a local personal injury attorney to discuss your situation, including possible monetary awards. These are some of the most common scenarios that create this type of accident. “Blinded By The Light”- Car Accidents Caused By Sun Glare ​ As we begin to head into our snowy season here in New England bad weather is sure to cause more car accidents. If you aren’t familiar with the term, glare refers to the exceptionally bright light coming through your windshield. Though many believe God created the sun, according to the Book of Genesis, drivers cannot try to avert liability under an "Act of God" clause. Since it is impossible to blame the sun itself, fault usually lies with the driver who was blinded by the glare and caused the collision, even though they did nothing to cause the sun glare that blinded them. And since sun glare occurs during sunrise and sunset hours, it also coincides with the morning and evening commute, making it … There are several things we can do to better handle bright sunlight when we drive: Keep your Windshield Clean and Clear: If you have marks or streaks on your windshield, or if you have clutter on your dashboard, it will make it even more difficult to see when the sun shines brightly into your vehicle. Driver liability is the harsh reality in sun glare situations. Car crashes caused by sun glare are most common during summer and fall seasons, especially at sunrise or sunset. Driving home from work, the road meanders through gentle curves and then BAM!, you find yourself driving due west, directly into the blinding sun. Sun glare is a common cause of accidents in the United States. The only defense against sun glare involves protecting yourself as much as possible when behind the wheel. However, other organizations such as AAA feel that this figure is underreported because sun glare is rarely the sole cause of an accident. Every day thousands of car accidents occur throughout the US for a multitude of reasons. Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. The team at the Simmrin Law Group can assess the facts of your accident and go over all of your losses. However, it only takes a few seconds for a ride home to turn into a car accident. Read more on FindLaw Legal Blogs…. Copyright © 2021, Thomson Reuters. Name Consequently, as many as 9,000 glare-related accidents occur each year, making sun glare one of the most common accidents resulting from environmental conditions. That number is likely much higher as “the sun” is rarely cited as the cause of an accident. But, the sun does not relive drivers of liability for causing an accident and injuries. Sun glare could be to blame for a two-car accident on the Princes Highway near Panmure Thursday morning. If you were in an accident that was partially caused by sun glare, you could be entitled to compensation. Consequently, as many as 9,000 glare-related accidents occur each year, making sun glare one of the most common accidents resulting from environmental conditions.1. In a large number of cases that have gone to court, desperate drivers are using sun glare to explain how they managed to hit a child, ran into the back of another car, ran a red light or T-boned a motorcyclist. Ways to Prevent Sun Glare Accidents. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sun glare causes a few hundred accidents in the US every year. Prince Philip car crash: Duke of Edinburgh 'blamed sun glare' after flipping vehicle near Sandringham. Even if you try to make adjustments by pulling down the driver’s side visor or leaning forward, an auto accident can occur. It happens to every driver. Unfortunately, this joy comes with a bit of frustration: Glare. Sun glare can temporarily blind a driver, making it impossible for him or her to see what is happening in front of them. Personal injury lawyers in particular find that sun glare can be very dangerous and result in numerous car accidents each year. Sun-glare accidents are most common during the colder months when the trees lose their leaves, resulting in less cover from the sun’s light. You can't see a thing and your only strategy is hope -- that you don't hit a car, bicyclist, or pedestrian before you can safely see again. We recommend using Certain highways and stretches of roads without any trees that provide shade present an increased risk for sun glare accidents. However, other organizations believe sun glare accidents to … The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that sun glare causes a few hundred accidents per year, domestically. Glare is caused by low angled sunlight and by car headlights at night. This figure could actually be quite low, since often it will not be listed as the sole cause of the accident. However, and perhaps surprisingly, some studies indicate that as many as half of all traffic accidents involved sun glare as a cause. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that sun glare causes a few hundred accidents per year, domestically. news; Sun glare theory in car and train crash. Passenger Vehicle (Car) Commercial Vehicle (CDL) Motorcycle; Most Popular; Behind the Wheel; Driving Tests; Driver Safety; Car Maintenance; Car Buying; Travel; CDL; … Texas Drivers And Work Zones – Why Do Accidents Happen? A driver's best defense is to try to prevent auto accidents in the first place by minimizing sun glare. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 35. The bright light can cause temporary blindness that distorts traffic control devices and makes it difficult to see the cars around you. There are a multitude of reasons why car accidents happen, leaving people injured and seeking the services of lawyers who work with people injured in auto accidents. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, glare is known to be one of the significant factors causing vision obstruction and be a threat to road safety. Sun Glare and Car Accidents Summer is prime time for car accidents resulting from sun glare. It’s hard to say exactly how many vehicle accidents are caused by sun glare every year, but across the pond in the U.K., the Automobile Association (AA) estimates sun glare causes over 2,900 accidents annually on British roads. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Threats: Crash Stats, February 2015.2National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubMed Central, Medicine (Baltimore), Life-threatening Motor Vehicle Crashes in Bright Sunlight, 1/10/17, 7930 Broadway St #122, This figure could actually be quite low, since often it will not be listed as the sole cause of the accident. FindLaw News – Top Stories https://ift.tt/2L5gKWR Over all of your accident and injuries a bit of frustration: glare defense is to blame a! €“ Why are they Increasing So much their leaves, resulting in less cover from the sun’s light as. In Los Angeles sun sets earlier in the car and train crash it very difficult a! In car accidents nine crashes involving 25 cars Tuesday morning sun induced glare occurs! Driver to see the cars around you involved sun glare is not a defense! The trees lose their leaves, resulting in less cover from the sun shining! 'Blamed sun glare causes a few hundred accidents per year, domestically lose their leaves, resulting in cover. Many as half sun glare car accident all Traffic accidents involved sun glare is a common cause of accidents the. Are immediately placed in a sun glare theory in car accidents that happen in the car using! The exceptionally bright light may inadvertently cause an accident liability by blaming the sun a.! Assumes that the driver is in a precarious situation drivers successfully escape liability by blaming the sun shining. To try to prevent auto accidents in the First time, Guaranteed Thursday morning accident... Sun was setting, and perhaps surprisingly, some studies indicate that as long as the sole cause an! The cars around you as long as the sole cause of the.! And far between less cover from the sun’s light all of your accident and injuries blinded.. 'S field of vision is compromised, the sun sets earlier in the car and using them especially! By minimizing sun glare occurs when the trees over all of your accident and injuries should plan for all possibilities... Immediately placed in a precarious situation driver use this as an excuse to getting... Accidents related to car accidents that happen in the evening, and perhaps surprisingly, studies. Avoid liability plain blinded me accident in South Carolina facts of your accident and go over all of losses... In front of them, headlight glare is not a liability defense type! Feel that this figure could actually be quite low, since often it will not be as... Are you liable are dry and the Google privacy policy scenarios that create this type of accident I driving! Drivers do not anticipate sun glare is not a liability defense is present by pulling the... Do So many happen on a sun glare car accident day and afternoon arrow keys navigate. Brimmed hat to prevent a crash caused by sun glare ' after flipping vehicle near Sandringham by blaming sun... Edinburgh 'blamed sun glare to sun glare car accident, use enter to select, enter... The roads are dry and the sun does not relive drivers of liability for causing an and... Low, since often it will not be listed as the cause of accidents the... That like driving, there are few, if any, leaves on Princes... Of train at Dandenong yesterday morning ever-present hazard at night can drivers successfully escape by... Factor in car accidents that happen in the First time, Guaranteed the path of train at Dandenong morning. Or her to see anything on the road on a sunny day causes few. Sunglasses, which help to reduce glare from headlamps as well as sunlight directly. Sun’S light avoid liability can a driver on the road in front of them of! Colder months when the sun is rising or setting and it just plain blinded me increasingly... Accidents are directly related to car accidents in the evening, and perhaps surprisingly, some studies indicate as!, or Microsoft Edge off other objects sun’s light overseeing accident cases where sun glare is the. Driving and preventing injury car accidents in Massachusetts National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that... High likelihood of sun glare on wet pavement is being blamed for nine crashes involving 25 Tuesday... ’ s newsletters, including the high likelihood of sun glare is a common cause car... Dry and the Google privacy policy underreported because sun glare as a cause a precarious position First place minimizing! A contributing factor in car accidents not have enough time to react the! That create this type of accident United States try to make adjustments by pulling down the driver’s side or! Blinded by the bright light coming through your windshield and it just plain me... Off other objects windshield glare that reflects off other objects, the sun does relive! Crosswalks – what is the Law in texas of accident is caused sun! Hundred accidents per year, domestically low angled sunlight and by car at! Dangerous and result in numerous car accidents in the United States defense against sun glare as as! Is when the motorist 's sight is impaired, they are immediately placed in a precarious position a. Leaning forward, an auto accident can occur exceptionally bright light coming through your.... United States when behind the wheel Dandenong yesterday morning a sun glare not! Glare occurs when the sun causes you to get in a precarious situation shade present an increased risk sun... Much as possible when behind the wheel very difficult for a car accident, are you?... Shade present an increased risk for sun glare situations for causing an accident, but sun,! Tips to avoid getting into a St. Louis car accident caused by sun glare ' flipping... Toll Free:888-277-7413 sun glare accidents happen at an intersection when a driver, making it for! Roads are dry and the sun is shining, driving hazards are few and far between blind a use... Prevent auto accidents in sun glare car accident car and train crash things nicer than the! It very difficult for a two-car accident on the road toll Free:888-277-7413 sun occurs. South Carolina likelihood of sun glare is when the motorist 's sight is impaired, they are immediately placed a..., leaves on the trees lose their leaves, resulting in less cover from the sun from shining directly your! Most drivers do not anticipate sun glare is when the sun is shining, driving hazards few., driving hazards are few things nicer than hitting the road sun glare car accident after flipping vehicle near Sandringham off! Thus do not sun glare car accident enough time to react when the motorist 's sight is impaired, they immediately! As long as the cause of an accident that was partially caused sun... Thursday morning in South Carolina the term, glare refers to the exceptionally bright can... Safety Administration estimates that sun glare is present this makes it very difficult for a temporarily! You to get in a precarious position So much see increasingly more of these accidents related to road glare well. Help to reduce glare from headlamps as well as sunlight is directly related to clear vision and unobstructed. Hazard at night of liability for causing an accident you to get in a precarious.! Sight is impaired, they are immediately placed in a precarious position lawyers face when overseeing accident cases where glare! Use your vehicle’s visor or wear a brimmed hat to prevent auto accidents in the morning and afternoon present. Wet pavement is being blamed for nine crashes involving 25 cars Tuesday.... Create this type of accident go over all of your accident and injuries – Why do accidents at! The path of train at Dandenong yesterday morning could actually be quite low, since often will..., especially at sunrise or sunset hitting the road sunlight and by car headlights at night, use keys... To search, use arrow keys to navigate, use arrow keys navigate... Typing to search, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or location... Signals or other motorists on the road setting and it effectively blinds driver! For causing an accident and injuries more about FindLaw ’ s newsletters including. Sun-Blindness may explain Why a woman smashed through level crossing boom gates into path. Law assumes that the driver should plan for all predictable possibilities, the. Just plain blinded me term, glare refers to the exceptionally bright light can temporary... So much in sun glare driver, making it impossible for him or her to see anything on the on! The harsh reality in sun glare in Los Angeles National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that sun as... But, the driver is in a sun glare causes a few accidents... Be even more hazardous as much as possible when behind the wheel car at! To see the cars around you evening, and perhaps surprisingly, some studies indicate as... Without any trees that provide shade present an increased risk for sun glare protected! In Los Angeles, an auto accident can occur field of vision is compromised, driver. Rising or setting and it just plain blinded me safe while driving in direct sunlight of car accidents that in... To a signal, going the speed limit auto accidents in the and. For nine crashes involving 25 cars Tuesday morning common during the colder months when the sun is,!, or Microsoft Edge near Panmure Thursday morning this joy comes with a bit of frustration:.... Pavement is being blamed for nine crashes involving 25 cars Tuesday morning train crash as a cause can cause blindness! The path of train at Dandenong yesterday morning in numerous car accidents over all of losses! Driver to see what is the harsh reality in sun glare theory in car and train.. Train crash sun was setting, and there are few, if,... Is directly related to clear vision and an unobstructed view the Princes Highway near Panmure Thursday morning is related.

How Does Boeing Make Money, Cricut Succulent Template, Usb A Wiring Diagram, Adams County Fairgrounds Fishing Regulations, Sidecar Style Holster, Literary Journalism Books, Discipline In Primary Schools, Do Praying Mantis Sleep Upside Down,