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Accidents at Night in California

Poor weather, lighting, road conditions, and intoxicated motorists increase roadway dangers anywhere in California at night. According to the National Safety Council, we only drive at night only 25% of the time, but 50% of all traffic fatalities occur after the sun is down. While it poses some difficulties, sometimes driving at night can’t be avoided.

Contact Experienced California Car Accident Attorneys For a Free Case Evaluation

Attorney Martin Gasparian founded our firm in 2014 after a decade of working for California’s oldest law firm. During that time, he received valuable firsthand knowledge of how insurance companies approach car accidents like yours. Through that knowledge, he and our firm can make sure you get the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

If you were injured in a nighttime accident that was caused by the negligence of somebody else, or you lost a loved one in such a crash, contact us at Maison Law as soon as you can, and we can arrange for a consultation and case review for you at no cost at all.

California’s Night Driving Law

When the sun goes down, the acuity of our vision goes down too. Visibility becomes poor, our depth perception is affected and we even have difficulty with perceiving colors. Those are just some of the reasons why California requires drivers of motor vehicles to use their headlights:

  • 30 minutes after sunset
  • 30 minutes before sunrise

There are even dangerous stretches of road that require the use of headlights during the middle of the day, usually in storms or other inclement weather.

On top of these legal requirements, driving at night poses other hazards which often cause accidents, such as:

  • Drowsy driving
  • Animals, such as deer, being more active at night
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Speeding or reckless driving

While there are indeed numerous causes of accidents at night in California, there are several ways in which you can reduce the likelihood of being in one-and suffering serious injuries.

California Night Driving Safety Tips

Not surprisingly, it’s more difficult to drive at night than it is during the day. Not only do you have to account for your own reduced visibility and driving capacity, you have to watch out for other drivers as well. Moreover, every vehicle is different, meaning there will not be uniform equipment and headlights across every vehicle you come in contact with. Because of these dangers, here are some tips to follow when driving at night:

  • Do not look directly into the headlights of an oncoming vehicle.
  • Keep your eye toward the right edge of your lane
  • Watch oncoming vehicles out of the corner of your eye.
  • Do not try to retaliate against another driver by keeping your bright lights on. If you do, both of you may be blinded.

Furthermore, keep the following in mind when you drive at night:

  • You have to be much more alert when driving at night, not only for other cars, but for pedestrians and bicyclists, which are much harder to see at night.
  • Motorcycles are also harder to see at night because most have only one tail light.
  • Construction usually takes place at night because of reduced traffic, which means workers and equipment can be difficult to see.
  • Let your eyes adjust to the darkness after leaving a brightly-lit place like a gas station or restaurant.
  • If you see a vehicle with only one headlight driving toward you, move as far to the right as possible. It could be a bicyclist or motorcyclist, but it could also be a vehicle with a missing headlight.

Injuries in Accidents at Night in California

When driving after sundown and before sunup, we might travel from a well-lit state highway to an unlit country road at a relatively high speed. Other vehicles or people on or near the roadway become difficult to see. Diminished visibility coupled with a high speed is treacherous. In the event of an accident, severe injuries like the following can be suffered from the high speeds that motorists travel at:

  • Fractured skulls, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
  • Multiple compound fractures.
  • Lacerated or punctured organs.
  • 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
  • Wrongful death.

Compensation for Damages in California Night Car Accidents

California law in personal injury cases is well-established in allowing a wide range of damages. So long as the evidence supports them, an injury victim can seek the following damages:

  • Past medical bills and medical bills reasonably expected to be incurred in the future.
  • Past lost earnings and lost earning capacity in the future.
  • Any permanent disfigurement or disability.
  • Pain and suffering.
  • Loss of enjoyment of a normal life.
  • Funeral and burial expenses in the event of a wrongful death along with other valuable damages.
  • Punitive damages if the crash was caused by an intoxicated driver.

If you were injured as a result of the negligence of somebody else in an accident that occurred at night, or if you lost a loved one in a nighttime accident anywhere in California, you need to speak with us at Maison Law as soon as you can.

Experienced and Compassionate California Night Accident Lawyers Can Help You

No matter what an opposing insurer says, it realizes its financial exposure, and it will use tactics in efforts to devalue your claim. You’ll be protecting your right to maximum compensation for your injuries and damages by retaining Maison Law to represent you. We’ll want to start investigating and building your case right away.

Contact us as soon as you can after being injured or losing a loved one in any nighttime accident anywhere in California. We can arrange for a free consultation and case review, and you can tell us about what happened, how it happened, and how it has affected you and your family. You’ll have questions too, and we’re going to answer them fully and truthfully. Then, we will advise you on how we think you should proceed.

After being injured in any nighttime accident that was caused by the carelessness and negligence of somebody else anywhere in California, contact us for that free consultation right away.

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