Crashes Caused by Sun Glare

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

One of the scariest feelings a motorist can experience is driving down a road when suddenly, the glare of the sun hits the windshield, leaving the driver unable to see anything that is in front of the vehicle. Even just a few seconds of sun blindness can result in a serious car accident.

As if driving facing the sun is not difficult enough, there are other factors which can exacerbate the situation even more. If a vehicle’s windshield is dirty, this can cause the glare to become more intense. And this time of year, sun glaring offing snowfall can be particularly blinding. It is also this time of year – as well as in autumn – that sun glare issues become more of a problem. The sun sets earlier in the evening, and there are few, if any, leaves on the trees.

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. Under the law, each driver has an obligation and duty to maintain control of their vehicle and to use caution.

There are steps that drivers can take to help cut down on their vision being affected by sun glare. These include:

• Wearing polarized sunglasses when driving. Polarized lenses reflect the sun&s rays away;
• Utilizing the vehicle’s visor to help keep the sun out of your eyes;
• Making sure the vehicle’s windshield is clean, both on the inside and outside. Also checking to make sure there are no dings or cracks in the glass;
• Keeping the dashboard clean of dust or dirt, which can also intensify the sun’s glare;
• When dealing with sun glare, leaving more space between you and the vehicle in front of you; and
• Driving with the headlights on to help other drivers who may be dealing with sun glare see your vehicle.

If you have been injured in an auto accident caused by a driver who was hampered by sun glare, contact an experienced Lake County injury attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have. Call the law firm of Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. at 847-662-3303 today to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

https://www.insuramatch.com/news/temporary-blindness-essential-tips-survive-driving-sun-and-headlight-glare

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2461972/Glare-sun-contributes-3-000-road-accidents-particularly-dangerous-time-year.html