How to Avoid Sun Glare Accidents

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During most of the year, driving to and from work or school is a routine activity. But at certain times – particularly during the months when the days get shorter – a largely unpredictable hazard can emerge; sun glare.

You are driving home from work one afternoon, and it’s been a normal day like any other…until a massive ray of bright sunlight abruptly penetrates your windshield. Suddenly, you can barely see anything in front of you, and you can only hope and pray you don’t crash into anything that might have escaped your visibility.

Most drivers know what to do when they encounter rain, snow, ice, sleet, and similar types of inclement weather. They slow down, put on their wiper blades, and drive defensively until they get where they are going. Sun glare, however, is a little different.

Bright sunlight can show up in an instant and have a blinding effect on a driver. This can happen anywhere, and it is especially dangerous when you are driving full speed on an expressway. The blinding glare makes it hard to see what the cars in front of you are doing, which increases the chances of a rear-end collision if they suddenly slow down.

To make matters worse, you are most likely not the only one who is being affected by the glare. If you are all going the same direction, then the drivers in front of you and behind you are also dealing with the brightness of the sun. And depending on which side of the street they are on, pedestrians crossing the road could be blinded by the glare as well, making it harder for them to see you.

How Many Accidents are Caused by Sun Glare?

Bright sunlight contributes to numerous accidents each year, but the exact number is very hard to pinpoint. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) puts the official number of annual sun glare accidents at around 300, but these are most likely very conservative estimates. Police reports often do not include glare as one of the contributing factors to an accident, and organizations like AAA believe the number is much higher.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted a comprehensive study over a 20-year period (from 1995 to 2014) examining the causes of hospitalizations from motor vehicle crashes. The study found that bright sunlight was present in approximately one-third of all crashes that occurred during daylight hours. The findings from this study suggest that sun glare is far more dangerous than most people realize.

Tips for Preventing a Sun Glare Accident

It is important for all of us as drivers to take reasonable measures to effectively deal with bright sunlight when we drive. If you fail to do so and it causes an accident, you cannot rely on an “act of God” defense. An “act of God” is an extraordinary natural event, such as an earthquake, flood, or mudslide. And although sun glare is a natural occurrence, it does not fit into this category.

The sun rises and sets every day, and it is not difficult to find out the general time when these events occur. So, if you are blinded by bright sunlight and cause an accident, you are the one who will be on the hook for the damage and injuries it causes.

With that in mind, here are some of the most important things we should do to minimize the chances of a sun glare accident:

  • Wear a good pair of sunglasses that protects you from bright sunlight. Polarized sunglasses are best for this purpose.
  • Keep your windshield clean and free of streaks and marks. Always have plenty of washer fluid in your vehicle when you drive and replace your windshield wipers when needed.
  • Make full use of your sun visors by turning them to the sides (when necessary) to help block the sun glare. You may also want to consider purchasing sun visor extenders for additional protection from glare.
  • When bright sunlight hits your eyes, slow down immediately, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and allow yourself plenty of space to deal with any other problems the sun glare creates.
  • Avoid anything that would distract you, such as your smartphone, food, drinks, the car radio, etc.
  • If possible, alter your driving route and drive time to help minimize your exposure to bright sunlight.

Injured in a Sun Glare Accident? Contact the Chip Nix, Attorney at Law for Assistance

Bright sunlight is a road hazard we should all be on the lookout for. But even if we take all the necessary precautions, the negligent actions of others can sometimes result in an accident with injuries. If this has happened to you or someone close to you, attorney Chip Nix stands ready to fight for full and fair compensation.

Call our office today at (334) 203-6669 or message us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced accident injury attorneys. You may also stop by our Montgomery location in person at your convenience.

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