It’s a common question for drivers: do more car accidents happen at night? While just 25 percent of all motor vehicle travel occurs at night, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), many crashes happen after the sun goes down.
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash, contact our Georgia car accident lawyers to learn more about your next steps. We go above and beyond for our clients, and we can investigate to determine all liable parties. We offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can figure out your best options for recovering.
Do More Car Accidents Happen at Night?
Most car accidents happen during the day, likely because there are more cars on the road during daytime than there are at night. However, car accident statistics at night show that driving after dark increases the risk of fatal accidents. Some notable statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) include:
- Nearly half of fatal car accidents happen at night. In one year, there were a total of 35,766 fatal crashes. Of those, 17,572 happened at night (49%).
- More fatal crashes happened in unlit areas. Of those fatal car accidents at night, 9,827 occurred in unlit areas compared to those in lit areas (7,407)
- Nearly a third of all accidents happen after dark. That same year, there were over 5 million accidents, and 29 percent occurred after the sun went down.
- Most pedestrian deaths happen at night. In one year, 77 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark.
Why Do So Many Crashes Happen at Night?
There are many reasons that serious accidents tend to happen at night, even when there are fewer vehicles on the road. Some of them include:
- Poor vision. It’s harder to see at night, especially for drivers with vision impairments, so drivers are likelier to hit objects in the road or other cars. This becomes worse in poorly lit areas or when other drivers fail to turn on their headlights.
- Fatigued driving. If you’re driving at night, chances are you’ve been awake for a while and may feel tired. This can impair your reaction times and ability to focus.
- Impaired driving. The amount of intoxicated drivers on the road increases exponentially at night, leading to a higher likelihood of crashes.
- Bright headlights. The lights of an oncoming vehicle, especially if their brights are on, could temporarily blind drivers. Even if it’s brief, this could be enough distraction to cause a collision.
Talk to an Experienced Duluth Car Accident Attorney Today
Parsing through details and liability after a car accident can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if it occurred at night and the facts of the accident are hazy.
Leave the hard work to us while you focus on your recovery. Contact our Georgia car accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation anywhere in Georgia. We have locations throughout the Peach State, and we have a proven record of success in helping victims injured by negligence.
