Tips For Driving at Night

The risk of getting into a car accident is much greater at nighttime than during the daylight hours. In Palm Beach County more than 11,000 car collisions occurred in 2011, with more than 200,000 auto accidents taking place in Florida.

Driving at night has been found to be the most dangerous time of day to drive and nationally 49% of fatal car crashes happen at night. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approximately 68% of fatal collisions involving pedestrians also occur at night.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a nighttime auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation for property damage, medical bills and expenses, lost wages, and more. Contact our auto accident lawyers today to get in-depth legal assistance.

Fill out the ‘Free Case Evaluation’ form at the right to get started on your case right away.

What Are The Risks of Driving at Night?

Drivers are more likely to engage in risky behavior during the nighttime hours, including:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• And not wearing a seatbelt

Needless to say these risky moves are what can lead to serious car crash injuries and fatal car collisions, especially when other motorists may be less-alert when compared to driving in broad daylight.

Some additional reasons why driving at night is so dangerous include:

Poor Visibility

Low beam headlights allow us to see about 150 feet ahead of us while high beams show objects about 450 feet ahead. This type of poor visibility means we have less time to react to oncoming objects. It is especially difficult for drivers to see over hills and curves. Sensitivity to light caused by high beams or “halos” around the beams can also cause poor driving visibility.

Fatigue

It is likely that driving either in the early morning or late night, drivers are getting behind the wheel while fatigued. This can greatly increase their inability to react to difficult driving situations.

Driving at Night Tips

In order to reduce your chances of getting into a car crash or other traffic incidents at night, you can take several precautions to protect yourself and your passengers.

Some of these can include (but are not limited to):

• Get your vision checked regularly. Poor vision or astigmatism can lead to difficulty seeing at night.
• Keep your car properly maintained by checking that your headlights, signal lights, and taillights are in working order and not oxidized which makes them appear foggy.
• Reduce your speed and increase the driving distance between you and the other vehicle, especially during poor weather conditions.
• Drive with your low beams, high beams can actually disturb the other driver. High beams should only be used if increased visibility is needed and there is no oncoming traffic within 500 feet of you. Motorists in Florida using high beams within 300 feet of a vehicle ahead of them, or 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, can be ticketed.
• If an oncoming car is using their high beams do not look directly at them, instead look to your right at the white line at the edge of the road and every few seconds glimpse to see their location until they pass.
• Don’t drink and drive.
• Do not drive drowsy and pull over for breaks or sleep when needed.

As with any driving related activity, it’s always important for motorists to drive defensively. This can help to ensure that in the event of an unexpected circumstance, the driver has as much time possible to react and potentially avoid a collision.

How to Handle Road Emergencies

If you end up having to deal with a flat tire or run out of gas at night, take extra caution when dealing with the emergency.

• Pull over as far off the main road as possible or to the shoulder.
• Turn on your emergency lights and interior car lights.
• Use emergency flares or reflectors within a few hundred feet of your vehicle so other motorists can spot you.
• Use a flashlight or lantern if fixing the problem yourself or stay inside your vehicle until help arrives.

Although you are no longer on the road at night your chances of being involved in an accident are not diminished so it is crucial to handle a nighttime roadside emergency safely.

Contact a Palm Beach Accident Lawyer

A nighttime accident can be very dangerous, drivers and pedestrians should take all the necessarily precautions to protect themselves from being involved in a collision. Gordon & Partners is here for you if you’ve been involved in an auto incident that occurred at night.

Our team of 13 attorneys can assist you through the entire litigation process if you’re seeking legal representation. Gordon & Partners has helped our personal injury and auto accident clients fight for their rights and receive the compensation they deserve.

We have offices located in Palm Beach Gardens, Stuart, and Pembroke Pines, Florida. We also provide comprehensive legal counsel to the following surrounding areas:

• West Palm Beach
• Ft. Lauderdale
• Port. St. Lucie
• Jupiter
• Miramar

…and many more cities throughout the tri-county area.

Contact our dedicated team of injury lawyers for a 100% free, no-obligation, initial case review today at 1 (855) 722-2552.

You can also fill out the ‘Free Case Evaluation’ at the top right hand corner of this page and have your case reviewed immediately by one of attorneys.