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Does Daylight Savings Actually Cause More Auto Accidents?

Table of Contents

  1. Changing The Time On Your Clock Can Impact Your Safety
  2. Drowsy Driving
  3. Tips For Daylight Saving Driving
  4. What To Do If You’ve Been In An Accident
  5. After An Auto Accident
  6. So The Accident Wasn’t Your Fault

Some people look forward to the day where the clocks roll back while others cannot wait for the clocks to flip forward. So why do we do this silly act of changing our clocks? Well, it was done initially during World War I in efforts to help conserve energy. 

This does not apply to the way we live today, but the United States continues to follow the rule of spring forward in March to allow more sunshine hours to be enjoyed while falling back in November.  Arizona and Hawaii both have chosen to not participate in changing clocks to accommodate the season’s nature. 

By continuing to turn our clocks around it forces people to put themselves and others in harm’s way. According to Business Insider springing forward causes more heart attaches and when we fall back the heart attack rates decrease.

It also creates a spike in fatal car accidents and workplace injuries. Journal of Applied Psychology study that came to this conclusion that mine workers that come to work with 40 minutes of less sleep experience 5.7 percent more workplace injuries in the week directly following the springtime daylight saving transition.

I met with Harry Brown personally and he sat with me for 20 minutes at our initial consultation to explain everything. He even called after my surgery to see how I was doing. I met with him several more times after that and was kept informed about my case throughout. I highly recommend Harry Brown as an attorney.

STEVEN SWEENY, SAVANNAH 

Changing the time on your Clock Can Impact your Safety

It seems like a small act that most people do not even think about but twice a year American change their clock to the natural daylight hours. By doing this, it changes your sleep patterns and alters your circadian rhythms.

This process takes time for a person to adjust to and unfortunately employers to no give you enough time off to adjust properly. Leaving people not as alert as usual and putting everyone at risk.

When we spring ahead people have to adjust to the amount of morning glare there is in their daily commute, or if they are super early risers, then it may even be dark during their commute.

People lose on average 40 minutes or more of sleep causing them to be drowsy which some compare to driving under the influence.

There is also more motorist on the road that you need to be aware of when driving. More people are out doing things like running, walking or riding bikes so being aware of pedestrians is extremely important. It can be difficult to see pedestrians or traffic directors to during high glare time, so slow down and keep your eyes on the road.

Analyzing 21 years of fatal car crash data from the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, they found a very small, but significant, increase in road deaths on the Monday after the clock shift in the spring: The number of deadly accidents jumped to an average of 83.5 on the “spring forward” Monday compared with an average of 78.2 on a typical Monday.

Drowsy Driving

It may sound silly to you to think that drowsy driver is a big deal, but it has an impact on the number of fatalities on the road. AAA’s traffic safety study confirms drowsy driving is a factor in nearly 10 percent of all car crashes. Driving home from work or school may even seem difficult because before changing the clock you were closer to bedtime and it takes several days before your body will properly adjust to your new sleep schedule.

Related Article

Drunk Driving Accidents: Building a Strong Case to Hold Intoxicated Drivers Liable

Tips for Daylight Saving Driving

  • Use polarized sunglasses
  • Use your sun visor
  • Go to be early the night before
  • Pull over if you’re too tried
  • Look out for pedestrians
  • Make sure your vehicle lights are working properly

What to do if you have been in an accident?

The severity of an accident always impacts what you should do. If you cannot move then you will not be able to do much, so you need to try and call for help. If you are okay, it is always best to check on everyone that is involved in making sure they are not injured. As long as no one is hurt, then follow these steps:

  1. Call police
  2. Get insurance information of all vehicles involved
  3. Take pictures of all damages of your vehicle and all cars involved
  4. Document the location, time, and weather during the time of the accident
  5. Get witnesses’ information
  6. Have a medic take a look at your injuries because some pains you will not feel until the next day
  7. Contact your insurance company, so they are aware of the situation.

After an Auto Accident

Since you do not always feel the pain immediately when you have been in an auto accident, you may not know what to do when you wake up the next morning and your feeling pretty sore.

It is mostly symptoms of whiplash. Here you can learn more about whiplash and how an attorney can help.

You get whiplash for the sudden hard jerk your head, and neck get from being flung from the impact of the collision.

It is best to seek medical care at this time. Your body can heal on its own but not correctly, and there could be a more significant underlining issue so have a professional look examine you is best. If you saw a traditional doctor or medic the day of the accident and everything checks out okay, then you may want to seek chiropractic care

Chiropractors specialize in the musculoskeletal system. They can do x-rays and a personalized treatment plan to help appropriately heal your car accident.

Related Post: The easiest 6 steps you can take to prevent an auto accident in Georgia

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So the accident was not your Fault, Now What?

You may want to contact a lawyer at this time. If the accident was not your fault and you now have to take care of medical bills and property damages it is best to get a lawyer.

Not every claim is a big court case so don’t get too worried, but a lawyer can file your claim and help get you the coverage of medical and property damages from the person at fault.

Don’t go at this alone insurance companies are working to give you the lowest settlement possible, so take the help from a professional to settle your case.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident give us a call to review your case today.

We might be the peace you are looking for after a hectic situation.

Our lawyers at The Brown Firm are caring professionals that want to make sure victims of personal injuries cases are cared for fairly.

Original Article Published Here.

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