Night Driving Accidents

Personal Injury Lawyers Helping Residents of Schaumburg and Wheaton

Nighttime driving involves several dangerous conditions, so motorists must be extra careful behind the wheel. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and many accidents caused by reckless or careless drivers happen at night. If you have been injured in a night driving accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation through a legal claim. At Therman Law Offices, our Wheaton and Schaumburg car accident lawyers are dedicated to representing victims of auto accidents in the full range of legal claims that they may be entitled to pursue.

Pursuing Compensation After a Night Driving Accident

Driving at night can be significantly more dangerous than in daylight. The National Safety Council reports that there are three times the number of traffic deaths that stem from night driving as compared to driving during the day. In addition, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was 3.3 times at night what it is during the day. There are a variety of reasons why night driving can be more dangerous than daytime driving, including but not limited to:

• Lowlight conditions – One main reason for nighttime accidents is the lower visibility once the sun sets. Motorists are less likely to see colors as clearly and react to certain hazards, such as pedestrians, bicycles, and objects in the road. This is especially true in adverse weather conditions.
• Headlight glare – Glare from other drivers’ headlights can obstruct a driver’s view and lead to an accident. Many vehicles use high-intensity headlights that can temporarily blind oncoming drivers, which can be a serious driving hazard.
• Reduced depth perception – With low-light conditions, there is less ability to gauge the depth of things and an increased risk of accidents.
• Fatigue or exhaustion – Drivers tend to be more tired at night, which can lead to decreased reaction time and can even lead to people falling asleep behind the wheel.

Following a motor vehicle collision, a victim may pursue a personal injury lawsuit to seek the compensation that they need. Most personal injury cases arising out of car accidents are rooted in the theory of negligence. Negligence is a legal concept used to establish fault. In other words, if a person is deemed to be negligent by a judge or jury, that person would be liable for the accident and any resulting harm to someone else. Negligence occurs when a person’s actions or inaction deviate from the conduct of a reasonable person under the same circumstances. For example, a person who causes an accident because he or she is excessively speeding down a dark road would likely be held liable because a reasonable driver would understand the risk of accidents associated with this behavior.

If your attorney can prove negligence, you may be able to recover a variety of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages typically include losses such as lost wages due to the injuries, medical expenses, and property damage. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are damages that are harder to quantify with a dollar amount, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. It is important to prove the full extent of your damages so that you can recover the amount that you need to move on with your life.

Retain a Knowledgeable Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyer in Wheaton or Schaumburg

Night driving can often be dangerous. If you have been involved in a night driving accident that was not your fault, you need to get the advice of an attorney who can help. At Therman Law Offices, we can protect your rights at every step of the way. We understand how stressful these situations can be, and you can rest assured that our team can meticulously analyze the crash and help you understand your legal options. We represent people in communities such as Wheaton, Schaumburg, Norwood Park, Edison Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Elmwood Park, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village, and Mount Prospect. Feel free to call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online for a free consultation.