Summer calls for putting the top down, turning up the music, and cruising your way to that perfect destination. Unfortunately, the season is also notorious for higher accident rates. Be cautious of these common summer mishaps while on the road.
Construction Zones
Construction companies capitalize on summer’s good weather and try to complete their work before the colder months return. However, these projects come with several hazards. Merging lanes, closed shoulders, and reduced speeds all impede traffic and can lead to accidents.
These dangers only escalate when work zones aren’t well-maintained. Obstructed signs, inaccurate detours, and poorly parked construction vehicles pose serious risks to motorists, particularly truck drivers. For instance, a truck driver may not see a poorly marked work zone in time to slow down. This may lead to a rear-end collision with a stopped vehicle up ahead, one that’ll be far from a harmless fender bender.
While construction companies that fail to implement proper safety and signage may be held responsible for crashes, truck accidents are best avoided. The size of a large truck often leads to severe injuries in the event of a crash.
More Traffic
During summer months, more drivers are on the road. Families take vacations, college students travel on break, and teens secure licenses before the school year begins. These extra drivers produce more traffic, which means more possibilities for accidents.
But passenger vehicles aren’t the only contributing factor. The number of commercial trucks also increases in the summer. Many big rigs help transport construction equipment to different work zones, and some trucking companies even hire additional drivers to meet demands. This spike in commercial travel increases the risk of fatal crashes for those in passenger vehicles.
Summer Heat
Although warm weather is one of the season’s draws, unforgiving temperatures can have deadly consequences, both on drivers and their vehicles.
Driver’s Fatigue
Hot weather raises tempers and lowers focus. Drivers cooped up in toasty vehicles face a greater risk of road rage, poor decision-making, and slower reaction time. This is especially true for truckers who spend long hours on the road. Unrealistic deadlines mixed with heat and fatigue are a perfect storm for a catastrophic accident.
Vehicle Stress
Higher temperatures put more strain on a vehicle’s performance. Cars double down to maintain safe engine temperatures and produce a constant A/C flow. Additionally, warmer weather can expand the air in the tires, leading to a higher chance of blowouts, and therefore, more accidents.
These vehicular strains are compounded for commercial trucks that are on the road for extended periods of time—especially if they haven’t been properly maintained. If a trucker is negligent, the truck’s systems could fail, leading to a crash and critical injuries for victims.
Drunk Driving
Summertime is filled with barbecues, cookouts, and late-night parties with friends. Understandably, alcohol is a frequent guest at these events. But unfortunately, many drivers fail to regulate their intake and get behind the wheel. Drifting cars, erratic braking, and tailgating often lead to disaster.
Unfortunately, drunk driving isn’t limited to passenger vehicles. Any trucker with a BAC of .04 or higher is considered to be under the influence. Cognitive impairment is especially dangerous in commercial vehicles due to their sheer force and slower reaction times.
Injured in an Accident?
If you’ve suffered a critical injury relating to any of these factors, our personal injury attorneys are here to help. Named twice as one of the top 10 personal injury firms in America, we are known for providing trusted representation backed by extensive resources, genuine care, and dedication to hard work. Our elite team has recovered compensation for numerous clients, and we can do the same for you.
Call Cunningham Bounds at (844) 417-0930 to schedule a free consultation.