Regrettably, if you're a pedestrian walking between 5 pm and 8 pm during this time of year, you face an elevated risk of being involved in a car accident. If you find yourself in this situation, contacting a car accident lawyer is essential.
Interestingly, the overall number of traffic
collisions decreases in the month leading up to the return to Standard Time.
The reported pedestrian injury rate for the entire day drops by 6%, reaching
its lowest levels when compared to the increased figures experienced during the
summer months.
However, pedestrian accident injuries surge by a
remarkable 19% from the annual average between 5 pm and 8 pm. According to one American
study, pedestrians are three times more likely to sustain fatal injuries in
motor vehicle accidents during this three-hour window in the weeks following
the switch to Standard Time compared to the weeks preceding it.
Ensuring Safety as We Turn Back the Clock
Recognizing that this time of year can be
particularly perilous for specific individuals on our roads, both drivers and
pedestrians should take specific precautions.
Drivers must be aware that, until they become
accustomed to driving with reduced light during their evening commute, they
need to be exceptionally vigilant for pedestrians, especially children.
Reducing speed while driving through residential or high-traffic areas offers
an additional margin for reacting to unexpected hazards that might not be
immediately evident. This not only lowers the risk of a collision but also
significantly decreases the chances of causing severe harm or fatality to
pedestrians if an incident does occur.
Pedestrians, who are especially vulnerable, should
make extra efforts to enhance their visibility, particularly on rainy days when
light reflects off wet surfaces or on foggy days when visibility is limited.
Wearing bright clothing or reflective materials, looking both ways, and
establishing eye contact with drivers while crossing the road are advisable
steps.
To help your body adjust to the time change:
- Ensure you consistently get adequate sleep year-round.
- Practice good sleep hygiene.
- Gradually shift your usual bedtime in the week leading up to the time change.
- Adjust your regular dinner time to a later hour but avoid late-night snacks.
- Seek morning sunlight as early as possible to help regulate your body's circadian rhythm.
- Seeking Legal Assistance If You've Sustained Injuries
Injuries from motor vehicle accidents can lead to
temporary or permanent disabilities. If you or a loved one has been involved in
an accident and suffered serious injury as a result, you may be eligible for
statutory accident benefits and damages from any individual whose negligence contributed
to your injury.