Summertime driving can be hazardous to your health
Summertime brings fun in the sun but hazards on the road.
Though summer driving is fun and a great way to spend quality time with people we love and go places we are excited to visit, it is fraught with hazards. The peak time for accidents across America isn’t the dead of winter, when ice and snow wreak havoc on the road surfaces – it’s right now, when traffic levels peak, drivers are distracted, more motorcycles are present, and construction zones are plentiful.
Unique summer hazards
Pennsylvania’s winters are typically harsh. We get frigid temperatures, heavy snowfall in some areas, ice storms and blustery winds. The temperature fluctuations alone can seriously compromise road surfaces and infrastructure, leading to potholes and cracks that must be repaired. In addition, damage done by chemical de-icers, salt and sand on the roadways and bridges, as well as the need for modernization of old-fashioned highway layouts, means that road construction is around every proverbial corner all summer long. Construction must be done in a moderate temperature range, so myriad projects around the state are crammed into the spring and summer in order to take advantage of the weather.
Road construction is, generally, a good thing. It’s helpful for commuters, adds jobs to the state’s economy, and allows for much-needed repairs. For drivers, however, construction zones, with their speed limit changes, traffic shifts and detours, are a pain. Attentive driving is an absolute must in areas of construction, but accidents are still tragically common. For the workers themselves, who are out there laboring at these sites, the danger is all too real; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an average of nearly 800 construction zone fatalities each year.
Weather also plays a big role in many summertime car crashes. The low-angle and glare of the sun causes obstructed visibility that often ends in a collision. Light showers cause oily roadway residue to pool on the surface, which increases the chances of skidding and loss of control. Heavier downpours can lead to street flooding that causes loss of traction, hydroplaning and spinouts.
Summer, particularly the time between Independence Day and Labor Day, is also peak drunk driving season. Drunk drivers cause tens of thousands of accidents annually.
When accidents happen
If you or someone you love was hurt in a summertime car crash, you could be facing mounting legal bills, painful recovery, lost wages and property damage. You should strongly consider consulting an experienced personal injury attorney prior to accepting any insurance company offer or settlement proposal from the at-fault driver. This will help ensure you get fair treatment and adequate compensation, and that you don’t jeopardize future legal options.
Contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at Dorian, Goldstein, Wisniewski & Orchinik, P.C. Call our Bensalem, Pennsylvania, law offices at or send an email to schedule your free consultation.