How to Prevent Spring Car Accidents & Pedestrian Accidents
For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, the season turning to spring brings a sigh of relief that we won’t have to deal with winter driving conditions again for several months. What many may not realize is that spring brings its own car accident and pedestrian accident risk factors. Being aware of the dangers that spring brings to the roads can reduce your chances of being injured in an accident.
Spring car accident risk factors
While car accidents can happen at any time of the year, the risk factors change from season to season. In the spring car accident risk factors include:
Daylight Savings Time
As reported by Vox, the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration analyzed 21 years of fatal car crash data and they found a very small, but significant, increase in road deaths on the Monday after the shift to daylight savings time. A typical Monday sees an average of 78.2 fatal car accidents but the Monday after daylight savings time has an average of 83.5.
Road trips
With spring break and warmer weather, spring is a popular time to take a road trip. This means more cars on the road and more people driving in unfamiliar areas; both of these factors increase the risk of car accidents. Watch out for drivers driving slowly and slamming on the brakes as they try to find their way around.
More young drivers
During spring break, many high school and college kids take the opportunity to take a road trip and/or to party with drugs and alcohol. Young drivers have a higher risk of being in a car accident anyway, but the increase in partying during the spring makes the risk even higher.
Protect yourself by avoiding distractions while you drive and practicing defensive driving techniques.
Spring bicycle/pedestrian accident risk factors
Accidents between motor vehicles and pedestrians/bicyclists can happen at any time but they are very common in the spring. Here are the spring pedestrian/bicycle accident risk factors:
Increased traffic
With the warmer weather comes a lot more pedestrians and cyclists which increases the chances of a pedestrian or bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle. Motorists should be aware of this and be on the lookout for other types of traffic other than motor vehicles.
Visibility
It is common for motorists to fail to see pedestrians or cyclists on the road. This is why it is so important to wear bright colors during the day and reflective gear at dawn, dusk and in the dark. Everyone should be especially careful to check for oncoming traffic before turning a corner and motorists should be aware of cyclists riding up beside them in bike lanes. Cyclists and pedestrians must follow the rules of the road and should only cross the street at a designated crosswalk. Pedestrians and bicyclists should never use their cell phone while on the road.
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced wrongful death attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
