Why Rear-End Accidents Increase During Summer Vacation Traffic
The end of the school year is an exciting time for most families, allowing time to take extended road trips. While traveling can be exhilarating, it also encourages negligent driving behaviors. Given a general lack of focus and substantially more vehicles on the road, your risk of being in a collision significantly increases. With more inexperienced drivers behind the wheel, rear-end accidents are sure to surge.
At Raybin & Weissman, our Davidson County car accident attorneys are dedicated to assisting injured parties in recovering medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs. If you have been injured in a summer traffic accident, our team of legal professionals is available to advocate on your behalf.
More Inexperienced Drivers on the Road
The summer months lead to more vehicles on the road. This heightened traffic congestion is accompanied by an increase in young drivers on highways and roads. Whether deciding to go to the beach with friends or exploring a new city, these inexperienced drivers lack the ability to identify potential hazards. A momentary lapse in judgment can lead to a rear-end crash or even a chain reaction accident.
Increase in Negligent Driving Behaviors
Anything that takes your attention away from traffic is considered distracted driving, and many people fail to follow Tennessee’s Hands-Free laws. From looking at your GPS to eating snacks to having conversations with passengers, summer road trips are filled with various negligent driving behaviors. Distracted driving can involve manual, visual, or cognitive distractions, all three of which are accounted for during summer travel.
Increase in Alcohol Consumption
Summer vacation is often a good time for people to relax and enjoy drinks with friends. Unfortunately, many individuals do not plan for alternate transportation, placing themselves and others’ lives in danger. Alcohol-related crashes increase during holiday weekends like Memorial Day or the 4th of July, making it a hazardous time to be on the road. Intoxicated driving impacts reasoning skills, reflexes, and visual acuity, making it nearly impossible to make the split-second decisions required behind the wheel.
Rise in Road Construction
Favorable weather conditions are often simultaneous with an increase in road construction. These construction projects can lead to detours, closed lanes, and traffic congestion. Impatient or negligent drivers who fail to follow signage or a flagger’s instructions place others’ lives at risk.
Heightened Risk of Vehicle Failure
Warmer temperatures create a heightened risk of cars overheating. Increased traffic volume also makes it more likely that more vehicles will break down on the side of the road. These hazards increase your chance of being involved in a rear-end collision, leading to serious injuries and fatalities.
Gathering Relevant Evidence to Prove Fault
A fun family outing can quickly become a nightmare, plagued with hospital bills and vehicle repair expenses. The insurance company will refuse to pay on your claim unless you can prove causation. This is the most challenging part of any claim, requiring that you gather convincing evidence to prove how the other driver is responsible for your injuries.
At Raybin & Weissman, our team of professionals will investigate your claim to determine what forms of evidence may apply. For instance, if you were hit by a distracted driver, our legal team may subpoena the driver’s cell phone records. Do not attempt to settle your claim without legal guidance since you are likely to receive far less than you deserve.
Reach Out to Our Davidson County Car Accident Attorneys
Given the increase in summer accidents, you need experience representation when filing an insurance claim. At Raybin & Weissman, our team of legal professionals has a successful track record in securing fair compensation for injured parties. If you or a loved one has recently been harmed on the road, our Davidson County car accident lawyers would like to assist you in submitting your claim. To schedule your free consultation, our office can be reached online or by calling (615) 256-6666 today.