Spring is one of the seasons that many of us look forward to each year. In Massachusetts, we all look forward to the spring season, especially after a long, cold, and snowy winter. Spring is when the weather warms up, flowers begin to bloom, and everyone can get outdoors for fun activities.
While spring is generally a great time of year, the roadways and highways can be very dangerous. The weather can often be unpredictable in the spring leading to dangerous driving conditions. Springtime is also a time of year when more people venture out for cookouts and other activities causing increased traffic on the roads. These can all lead to an increased chance of motor vehicle accident and injuries.
Dangers on the Roads During the Spring Season
There are a host of hazards and dangerous conditions on the roads and highways that may contribute to and/or cause car crashes during the spring season. Below are a couple that we have seen as some major causes of accidents in the spring:
Distracted Driving
Springtime is when a lot of people begin heading out to enjoy the warmer weather and the sun. People love to head to the park, drive to the beach, and get out for a jog or bike riding. The more cars and pedestrians on the road, the increased chances of accidents. Couple the increase in traffic with distractions and the consequences can be severe and, sometimes, fatal.
A distraction is considered anything that takes your attention away from safely operating your vehicle. Drivers can get distracted in the spring when the music is loud in the vehicle, with many passengers in the car, and, sometimes, unsafe driving habits as the weather gets warmer. Let’s not forget about the dreaded cell phone use behind the wheel. This is always considered a major distraction.
Distracted driving is a major concern in Massachusetts. A recent report by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security found an increase in crash fatalities almost more than double the national rate. Some experts blame distracted driving behaviors on the increase in fatal car crashes. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that each day in the United States approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. The statistics alone should deter all of us from distractions while behind the wheel. But life gets busy and sometimes people forget all about the dangers of distracted driving. That’s when accidents happen.
Right now is a great time to talk about this topic. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month to help inform drivers about the dangers, consequences, and safe driving habits to help lessen distracted driving related accidents and injuries.
Weather Related Accidents
As mentioned above, the weather in the spring, particularly in Massachusetts, can be unpredictable. For example, recently the temperature was in the 70s. This morning it was in the low 30s. Also, as the old proverb goes, “April showers bring May flowers” is another example of weather typically expected in the spring. The unpredictable weather patters and rain can create dangerous driving situations that can cause crashes and injuries.
One weather condition we typically associate with winter is black ice. However, black ice can also form in the spring. As stated above, sometimes the temperatures are unseasonably cold for the spring (i.e., in the 20s and 30s – certainly, freezing temperatures). Black ice can easily form when the colder temperatures are mixed with the rainy weather in the spring. We all know about the dangers of black ice on the roads and highways. So, don’t let your guard down on black ice just because it’s springtime.
Additionally, strong winds in the spring can cause hazardous conditions on the roads. Winds can sometimes blow debris onto the roads causing cars to make dangerous maneuvers to avoid the debris and make it harder to control a vehicle. Add windy conditions to the rain and colder temperatures mentioned above and you have extremely dangerous driving conditions.
While some accidents are unavoidable, most car crashes can be prevented. Knowing the dangers of spring weather, you should take extra precautions. Slow down when the weather creates hazards on the roads. Make sure your vehicle and tires are fit for safely driving in the unpredictable weather conditions of the spring. In more serious conditions, just do not drive. Wait out the weather and only drive when it is safe to do so.
If You Are Injured in an Accident This Spring, Contact Our Framingham Car Accident Attorneys
Like I said above, some accidents are unavoidable. Obviously, regardless of how safe we are, we cannot control how others drive. If you are injured in a car accident that was caused by a careless or negligent driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. In Massachusetts, accident victims have the legal right to seek financial compensation for losses and injuries suffered in the crash.
Injuries from car crashes often result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, and significant pain and suffering. You shouldn’t have to bear the financial burdens of injuries if the accident was not your fault. You have the legal right to hold the negligent or distracted driver accountable through a personal injury claim or lawsuit to seek money to compensate you for these economic and noneconomic losses. We are here to help.
At Mahaney & Pappas LLP, we are experienced personal injury lawyers who specialize in personal injury cases and regularly take on the insurance companies and litigate accident cases. We know what steps to take and how to obtain the compensation accident victims deserve. We will help guide you through the legal process, answer all of your questions, and deal with the medical bills and insurance companies, so you can focus on your treatment, family, and getting better.
