Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but our beautiful weather and the many days of bright sunshine can make driving hazardous. We understand we need to slow down during a terrible storm because of the weather, but some drivers are negligent in accounting for bright sunlight, too. When they are and they cause an accident, they can be held accountable and those who are injured by their actions may have a legal claim.
The Risks of Glare
Glare prevents you from seeing correctly when you’re driving and can be distracting. Bright sunlight in your face can also make it impossible to see the road in front of you, including streetlights and signs.
Another danger of glare occurs when the driver in front of you swerves or brakes suddenly because they have not taken adequate precautions to protect them from the dangers of glare. In this situation, you may be in a rear-end shunt accident in Hallandale Beach, through no fault of your own.
Preventing Glare-Related Crashes
All of us can take steps to reduce the hazards of glare, even on sunny Florida days. Here’s how:
- Clean your windshield regularly. Dust and dirt on the glass can make visibility worse and, in some cases, can exacerbate glare.
- Pull over if you have to. If you can’t see because the sun is in your eyes, you may not see a child dart out in front of you or see a light turn from yellow to red. Pull over if you can’t see.
- Give yourself extra room. We all know we should leave more space in bad weather, but sunny weather that causes glare is also a danger. Leaving extra space between you and the car in front of you gives you more time to react to sudden braking or the unexpected if you need to.
- Don’t drive around with cracks in the windshield. Not only does it increase the chances of your windshield breaking further, but small cracks can catch the sunlight and make glare worse.
- Be ready to protect yourself from the sun and glare. Have polarized sunglasses within reach in the car and use the sun visor in your vehicle to block out additional light. Blocking the sun with sunglasses and your visor improves your visibility and can prevent a headache, too.
- Plan your route carefully. Try to avoid routes that will have you driving directly into the sun, especially when the sun is rising, setting, or at its peak. Even with sunglasses and a visor, you may have a hard time seeing correctly.
Who Is Liable?
No-one can control Florida weather, but it is expected that motorists will take care to drive safely and to account for the weather. When drivers do not, they can be held liable for the crashes and injuries they cause.
If you have been in a car collision in Hallandale Beach, you might not immediately know what caused the crash and who is liable. This can make it a challenge to determine whether any offers made by an insurer are fair. In this situation, it is important to protect yourself and your financial future by seeking the fairest compensation possible so you can pay for quality medical care, property repair or replacement, lost wages, and the other losses you have suffered.
If you have been in a car collision in the Hallandale Beach or South Florida area, speak to an attorney immediately to find out whether you have acclaim. Contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a legal team who has more than 60 years of combined experience and a track record of securing more than $100 million for clients.