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Summer road travel can be fun and exciting, but, like all road travel, it is also dangerous. With so many cars on the road during the summer months, there are likely to be more accidents. While many of these accidents will be minor fender-benders, many accidents will also cause catastrophic and life-changing injuries. Here is a brief discussion of the most common causes of a summer car accident.
Here is an old saying about seasons in our part of the country: the two seasons are winter, and construction season. The summer months are when that construction work ramps up. While it is good that roads are being repaired, widened, and generally made safer to travel on, construction work presents hazards for workers and drivers alike.
Construction often comes along with road closures, lane closures, new traffic patterns, narrower roads, slower speed limits, and temporary traffic signals. But it also includes hazards from the construction work itself. Crews frequently break up parts of the roadway, causing small and large pieces to fly into travel lanes.
Drivers are required to drive with extreme caution, not only to protect workers but to avoid potential hazards in construction zones. Yet, many drivers do not adhere to construction zone speed limits or traffic restrictions, putting themselves and many others at risk. Drivers also fail to pay attention by continuing to look at their phones or engage in focused mental activity other than driving.
If you see a driver in a construction zone that is clearly not paying attention, do not try to correct them. That will only make matters worse. Stay focused and get through the hazard as safely as possible.
Distracted driving happens at any time as drivers use their cell phones, read, engage in conversations with passengers, or try to eat while driving. All of these things take their focus away from the task at hand, making it more likely that they will cause a car accident.
Even when an accident has already happened, too many drivers want to look at the accident instead of driving their own car. This can lead to additional accidents as drivers fail to pay attention.
Inexperienced drivers are also more likely to be on the road during the summer. New drivers on summer break from school may travel long distances to get home for the summer. Each of these drivers puts other drivers at risk because it may be their first experience with heavier summer traffic.
The summer heat can also cause accidents. As the outside temperature increases, so does the road surface temperature. That can make tires get extremely hot and expand. If you have filled tires up too high, the heat can make them expand even more, causing a blowout.
Blowouts can be extremely dangerous. When a tire blows, it often causes a car to jolt and swerve in one direction. At high speeds, cars could flip over and may even slam into other vehicles.
The heat can wreak havoc on other parts of your car, too. Your engine will get hot faster, and will have to work harder to cool itself down. Belts can be damaged easier in the heat, and other components can wear out faster. Keep an eye on your vehicle and temperature gagues to make sure it is in proper working order.
During summer travel months, there are more cars on the road. More cars create more possibilities for accidents. While many of these accidents are minor, do not discount the fact that even fender-benders can cause injuries.
Especially when drivers and tourists are not familiar with the area, they can make rapid stops or turns, resulting in rear-end collisions or other accidents.
The warm weather of the summer allows motorcycle riders the opportunity to enjoy the wind and air rushing past them as they ride their motorcycles. The vast majority of motorcycle riders are defensive and good about following the rules of the road. However, some like to ride dangerously, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, and violating numerous laws.
When there are more motorcycles on the road, especially when a rider acts without concern for their safety or the law, it can create dangerous situations where accidents can happen. Motorcycles are more easily concealed by blind spots, presenting the opportunity for more accidents to happen. Keep a cautious eye out and share the road.
Summer brings extreme weather and rapidly-changing. Summer storms can brew seemingly out of nowhere, creating downpours where you cannot see more than a few feet in front of your car.
When you encounter these types of situations while driving, use your best judgment. If you think it is best to pull off the road safely, do so. If you need to slow down, do so, increasing your following distance. Whatever you do, when you encounter bad weather, make sure you always prioritize your safety and the safety of your passengers.
When other drivers are visiting the area, it can make matters even worse. When bad weather strikes, the driver has to deal with the poor weather conditions plus their lack of knowledge of the area.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a summer car accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver. To explore your options and get skilled legal guidance, speak with our experienced Delaware car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A., today. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and learn more about the support and service we can provide. With offices in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we proudly serve Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.