It is much easier to see the road in the daylight, but sometimes there is too much light. At certain times of day, like the early morning or late afternoon, sun glare can prevent drivers from seeing what is in front of them.
In this blog, Galloway Jefcoat’s Lafayette-based auto accident attorneys discuss how sun glare can cause a crash, how liability for sun glare crash is determined and victims’ options for recovering compensation for damages.
If you have any legal questions after a sun glare crash, call our Lafayette car accident lawyers. We may be able to help you seek compensation.
How Can Sun Glare Cause a Crash?
Sun glare happens when light from the sun reflects off another surface, directly into someone’s eyes.
When sun glare impairs drivers’ vision or temporarily blinds them, various types of accidents could occur.
For instance, you could hit the vehicle in front of you because you did not realize how close you were. If a driver is struggling to see other cars while preparing to switch lanes, it could lead to a sideswipe collision. These collisions may be more likely when there is a vehicle in your blind spot.
When sun glare hits your windshield, especially early in the morning and in the evening, it blocks your view of pedestrians crossing the street and even traffic lights. This could result in drivers running red lights because they cannot see the light changing.
Sun glare is an even bigger problem if you have a dirty windshield, as the glare makes it even harder to see.
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Who May Be Liable for a Sun Glare Crash?
Although sun glare can contribute to crashes, drivers can still be held liable for collisions.
It is the drivers’ responsibility to take reasonable steps to avoid crashes, regardless of weather conditions. This is part of the drivers’ duty of care, which is one of the central elements of negligence. When a duty of care is breached and it results in damages, the victim may have grounds to take legal action.
When drivers encounter sun glare, there are ways they can reduce the glare, such as by wearing sunglasses or using their sun visor. If you have a dirty windshield, you should clean it, either with a squeegee at a gas station or by using your windshield wiper fluid and your wipers.
Drivers cannot blame an accident on the sun. For instance, if a driver gets into a rear-end crash because he or she was struggling to see through sun glare, fog or other weather conditions, he or she could still be liable for damages. The driver may have been following the other car too closely. Even if there was sun glare, the driver could have slowed down out of an abundance of caution.
While weather conditions can be a factor in a collision, the drivers’ actions carry more weight in evaluating liability.
What Options Do I Have to Recover Compensation?
If you were injured in a sun glare accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation.
Louisiana is an at-fault state. This means that car crash victims can file a claim against a negligent driver. Compensation can help victims cover medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs and potentially non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Car crash victims would need evidence to prove that the driver was at fault. Photos of vehicle damage and medical records can help your lawyer build a negligence case.
There are various factors contributing to liability in a case, as well as the value of the victim’s damages. A knowledgeable attorney can take appropriate steps to build a case and protect the value of your claim.
If you have questions about how a lawyer can help you after a Louisiana collision, call Galloway Jefcoat. An initial legal consultation is free of charge.
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How To Minimize Sun Glare
Many drivers commute to their jobs early in the morning or in the evening. Although these hours are the most likely times drivers will encounter sun glare, drivers can take these precautionary measures to decrease the risk of an accident:
- Wearing sunglasses
- Using your sun visors to block the sun
- Keeping your eyes on the road
- Staying in your lane if you cannot see your blind spot
- Not tailgating behind other vehicles
- Reducing your speed if the sun is blocking your view
- Keeping your windshield clean
If sun glare is blocking your view of the road and you cannot mitigate it, your best option could be to choose another route to your destination. You could also go to your destination at a different time of day.
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Call Galloway Jefcoat if You Have Been Injured in a Crash
If you were injured in a car crash that resulted from another driver’s negligence, our attorneys at Galloway Jefcoat may be able to help you with the legal process.
There are no upfront costs for our legal services and our clients do not pay unless they receive compensation.
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