A Louisville Car Accident Lawyer Reveals What You Should Know
Trick-or-treating on Halloween is exciting for youngsters and their parents, but an accident can quickly turn things upside down. Halloween can be dangerous as young children wander dark streets looking to fill up their goodie bags.
In an effort to promote safety on Halloween, the National Safety Council (NSC) offers the following tips for anyone who plans to be on the road at trick-or-treat time:
- Over-stimulated children, thrilled by the prospects of the evening, are often unpredictable. Carefully watch for them on roadways, medians, and curbs.
- With children rushing from door-to-door, take extra care when entering and exiting driveways.
- Children may not select costumes with safety in mind, so be wary of trick-or-treaters wearing dark clothing.
- Inexperienced drivers, such as older siblings, should be discouraged from driving.
Shorter Days, More Precautions
Perhaps before your children have even finished eating their Halloween candy, you face another driving obstacle: the end of Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7. You will spend more time driving in the dark, which can cause problems due to poor night vision, depth perception, color recognition, peripheral vision, and blinding headlights. Even high-beam headlights only do so much to improve visibility, leaving you less time to react, especially when driving at higher speeds.
When driving at night, the NSC recommends motorists:
- Make sure headlights are properly aimed and clean.
- Keep the dashboard dim.
- Avoid looking directly into oncoming lights.
- Wear anti-reflective glasses.
- Keep the windshield clean.
- Slow down to compensate for problems with visibility and reduced stopping time.
Motorists should also:
- Be aware of the side effects of prescription medication.
- Avoid driving while fatigued.
- Practice patience.
- Minimize distractions, such as talking to a passenger or using a phone or other electronic devices.
- Carefully plan trips when traveling on unfamiliar roads.
- Never get behind the wheel when impaired by alcohol or other mind-altering substances.
In addition, older drivers should have annual eye exams because of possible degenerative eye conditions. Experts also note a 50-year-old motorist may need twice as much light as a 30-year-old to drive safely.
Legal Help Is Available For Accident Victims
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. The problem is the insurance company is financially motivated to pay you as little as possible, and in cases involving severe injury, the damages (accident-related expenses) can be significant.
At The Whaley Law Firm, we’ve been protecting the rights of accident victims in Louisville since 2004 and take pride in fighting for the compensation our clients are entitled to. Don’t settle for less than what you deserve. See what attorney Aaron Whaley can do for you and contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Louisville car accident lawyer.