Texas residents who commute to and from work in the morning and evening have to contend with relatively heavy traffic. However, heavy traffic is not the only problem; there is also the issue of sun glare. Sun glare occurs when sun rays hit the windshield at an angle, dispersing the light in a manner that blinds the driver and predisposes them to causing an accident.
In such situations, those affected often have to seek the assistance of a car accident lawyer to obtain due compensation and reparations. This guide looks into sun glare-related accidents, from how they affect drivers to liability for personal injury resulting from an accident, what you can do to reduce the effect of sun glare, and what to do if a driver hits you under such circumstances.
How Sun Glare Affects Drivers
Sun glare has the same effect on a driver’s vision as heavy fog or rainfall. In some cases, it can be worse. Sun glare becomes worse with reduced sun angle. When at low angles, the reflected rays become even brighter. It also means that your eyes will be facing the sun directly. Sun glare can also occur when the sun is directly behind you and is reflected by your rearview mirrors onto your face.
According to the NHTSA, sun glare is responsible for approximately 9,000 crashes yearly. While sun glare can cause temporary total blindness when on the road, you cannot use it as a defense against negligence in a road accident. The law requires every driver to drive carefully based on the conditions, even when pulling over, until the conditions improve.
Minimizing the Effect of Sun Glare on Your Driving
Investing in quality polarized driving glasses is a good idea for every driver, regardless of the commute time. Polarized lenses are designed to filter out horizontal light created by light glare, which is the main difference between them and regular sunglasses. Dust and debris on your dashboard make the effect of sun glare worse. So wipe your windshield the moment you start seeing signs of sun glare. In most cases, wiping makes a significant difference and can give you enough time to get out of the direct line of the sun.
You can also consider installing additional visors as a precaution. Standard visors can only deflect light to a small extent, but custom visors can do a much better job. Lastly, consider pulling over. Everyone reacts differently to having too much light in their eyes. Understanding your limitations is important. Sometimes you may have to pull your vehicle over when you feel like being on the road puts you at risk of causing an accident. It takes a relatively short time for the sun to move, so you may not have to wait for long.
What If I Am Hit?
If you are hit by a driver blinded by sun glare, you have a right to sue them for compensation. But compensation is not automatic. You may have to fight for it, and this is where you may need the help of a personal injury lawyer. If you are successful with your personal injury claim, you will recover economic damages, which cover all monetary losses and expenses that directly result from the accident. You will also recover non-economic damages, including intangible losses incurred in an accident, such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, emotional distress, etc. Where gross negligence was a factor, your lawyer can look into seeking punitive damages against the at-fault party.
Conclusion
In the end, sun glare is one of those driving hazards that sneak up on you fast. Most drivers don’t think about it until it’s too late, and that’s usually when accidents happen. The smartest move is to stay prepared and recognize your limits. Protect yourself, document everything, and get professional help if needed. A little bit of caution today can save you from a much bigger headache tomorrow.