Sun glare can happen any time of year. During the summer when days are longer, however, you may be more likely run into this issue during your daily commute. So, how can you prevent crashes due to sun glare?
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At Anderson & Cummings, sun glare is a treacherous road hazard all drivers will encounter. Today, we share key tips you can use to prevent sun glare crashes all year round. We also discuss why a crash due to sun glare does not get at-fault drivers off the hook for any resulting damages.
Injured in a crash caused by another driver? Are they trying to blame the incident on sun glare? Call our law offices for legal help. Our auto crash attorneys in Fort Worth advocate for victims of traffic accidents every day, and we have a long history of proven success. We work tirelessly to recover full and fair compensation for our clients.
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How Can I Prevent Sun Glare Crashes?
Believe it or not, there are many things drivers can do to mitigate the dangers of sun glare. Here are some key tips to plan for before going out on the road:
- Invest in Polarized Sunglasses: This tip may seem a no-brainer, but many people get cheap plastic sunglasses or use none at all. Cheap plastic may blur your ability to see. Polarized sunglasses, however, filter out sun glare and UV rays, making it easier for you to see.
- Clean your Windshield: Use a good window cleaner regularly, inside and out. This one step helps to remove bugs, dust, mud and other air pollutants. Road grime creates a haze on your windshield, making it harder for you to see. Additionally, when the sun hits dirt on your windshield, it refracts the light and intensifies the glare.
- Use Your Sun Visors: If yours are not that great, you may want to consider installing upgraded visors. This one tiny invention helps to block direct sun hitting your eyes, while still allowing you to see the road. It is important to remember to check and recheck, even with visors. If you are struggling with sun glare, so are other drivers around you.
- Alternate your drive times: If you have to drive to work at a certain time, try going 30 minutes earlier or later. If you have a fixed schedule, check with your employer or human resources to see if you can modify your schedule a bit.
- Drive an alternate route: If your employer will not allow you to change your drive times, you could look for an alternate route. Try finding a route where you would not be facing the sun during your commute.
- Consider tinting your windows: Check your local and state laws to see how much tinting may be allowed in your area. The initial layout is probably a few hundred dollars, but it could greatly reduce sun glare.
- Slow Down and Increase Your Following Distance: If you are struggling to see because of the sun, the driver in front of you is probably struggling as well. Maintaining a greater following distance gives you more time to react if that driver slams on the brakes suddenly.
- Be Aware of Oncoming Traffic: Even when you are not dealing with sun glare, remember that oncoming traffic may be struggling with it. Stay alert and prepared to take evasive action if an oncoming vehicle suddenly swerves into your traffic lane.
- Find a Safe Area To Pull Over: When all else fails, find a place to pull over for 15 to 20 minutes. This short period could be enough to reduce the amount of sun in the sky, making your commute safer.
How Do Sun Glare Crashes Happen?
Sun glare is that awful moment when bright sunlight temporarily blinds drivers. Being “blinded by the light” is a real thing, making it difficult to see anything on the road. If drivers get caught unaware, it can lead to a dangerous crash.
This phenomenon usually happens during sunrise or sunset when the sun is lower on the horizon. These timeframes are the worst, when bright rays directly enter the driver’s line of sight. Sun glare is a significant road hazard, because it reduces a driver’s ability to see other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signals and road hazards. The likelihood of a sun glare crash is much greater during this time.
Direct Sunlight Impairs Driver Vision
Sun glare creates blinding conditions that make it harder to maintain vehicle control. Drivers who get caught off-guard by sun glare are at risk of a crash due to:
- Not being able to see the road ahead clearly
- Misjudging distances between their vehicles and others
- Missing exits and other important road signs
- Not seeing warnings about detours, work zones and other changes to traffic patterns
- Hitting vehicles they did not see in the road shoulder
- And more
Even being blinded by the sun for a brief moment can lead to rear-end collisions, sideswipes or accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Reflections Further Amplify Glare
Glare reflects off shiny surfaces, such as wet roads, vehicle windshields or other cars. These reflections not only amplify sun glare, but also further impair your visibility.
Drivers Swerve and React Unsafely
Drivers often swerve or make other sudden, unsafe maneuvers to try to avoid the blinding light. These actions could startle other drivers and lead to multi-vehicle pileups. While reacting in this way, drivers might inadvertently drift out of their lanes. They might also miss important road signs or a child, pedestrian or animal in the road.
What Drivers Should Not Do When Sun Glare Is an Issue
- Do Not Slam on the Brakes: A knee-jerk reaction like this may make it difficult for a driver behind you to stop. If that driver’s vision is also impaired by bright sun glare, he or she may not notice your brake lights coming on. Instead, slow down a little.
- Avoid Swerving: While this is often a natural reaction when you are suddenly blinded, it is a dangerous move. It increases the risk of you sideswiping another vehicle or ending up in oncoming traffic.
- Do Not Tailgate: Following vehicles too closely gives you zero time to react. If the driver in front of you slams on the brakes, it could result in a rear-end collision.
Is a Crash Due to Sun Glare Considered an Act of God?
Unfortunately, a car crash due to sun glare is not considered an act of God. The reason for this is that Acts of God are considered unavoidable under the law. However, sun glare is a foreseeable danger. Therefore, drivers are expected to take reasonable steps to avoid this hazard.
Need Legal Help After a Fort Worth Car Crash? Call Anderson & Cummings Today
Our experienced legal team at Anderson & Cummings are ready to help you after a Texas car crash. We offer completely free initial consultations to answer your questions and discuss potential legal options.
Since we take car crash claims on contingency, there are no fees or upfront costs. We only get paid if we win money for you through a settlement or jury-awarded verdict.
Deadlines apply, so we strongly recommend seeking legal help as soon after a Fort Worth crash as possible.
Anderson & Cummings. We get results. (817) 920-9000