What are the Top Causes of Warm Weather Accidents?

Have you ever felt like summer driving is riskier than people appreciate? As the temperatures rise in spring and summer, it’s worth taking time to learn more about the dangers of driving in warm and hot weather. After all, most heat-related accidents are preventable. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we hold drivers, trucking companies, and others accountable for failing to understand the risks that hot weather brings. Call us now. You need to protect yourself and your future by seeking out the compensation you deserve.

Why does heat contribute to car accidents and deaths?

According to Safer America, some of the dangers of driving in hot weather include the following:

• The glare of the sun: A strong sun can make it difficult for drivers to see. The glare can shift as the path of the sun moves. Visors and sunglasses may help, along with driving slower, but overall, sunny weather can create visibility issues for drivers.
• More bicycle riders, pedestrians, and children: When the weather is warm, people are more likely to ride their bicycles. Children are more likely to be playing outside. Drivers need to be on the lookout for these non-drivers, especially in residential neighborhoods and at crosswalks.
• Roadway construction: The Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation, local counties, and private contractors usually do as much work as they can outside when the weather is warmer. Warm weather is more comfortable for workers and generally makes the construction work easier. Work zones and building construction areas create risks and may lead to crashes when construction companies fail to properly warn or neglect to take precautions to protect drivers, pedestrians, and their workers.
• Young drivers: Warm weather is also a time when young drivers are likely to be off from school, driving (or being taken) to local pools and games, and enjoying the nicer weather.
• Car conditions: Cars are more likely to overheat and suffer tire blowouts when the weather is warm.

A few other ways that warm/hot weather increases the risk of a car accident include:

• More motorcycles: Most motorcycle drivers enjoy riding in warmer weather. Many car drivers fail to understand the rights of motorcycle riders, which creates severe risks of collisions.
• More vegetation: The leaves of the trees and the blooms of the flowers can make it more difficult for drivers to see, increasing the odds of a car accident.

What precautions should drivers take during warmer months?

Most accidents are avoidable, as long as drivers exercise caution. Some of the safety precautions that motorists should take when it’s warm include the following:

• Checking that their car is in good condition: These checks include checking the engine fluids, the car’s air conditioning, the tire pressure, and the condition of the sun visors.
• Staying hydrated: It’s important to stay hydrated during warm weather, but drivers should drink before they start their journey or stop in a safe location before drinking.
• Being observant: Drivers should anticipate that there will be more traffic when the weather is warm. Drivers should have sunglasses and understand how to drive when the sun glares in their eyes. Drivers in Missouri and Kansas should also be alert to pedestrians, bicycle riders, and children.

Who is responsible for warm-weather accidents?

Warm weather or excessive heat is never an excuse for an accident. Our Kansas City car accident lawyers work with investigators, speak with the police, and thoroughly question everyone who has any information about your accident to determine the cause of accidents. Our personal injury and wrongful death lawyers can file claims against one or more of the following defendants:

• The driver of a car, truck, motorcycle, or another vehicle
• The employer of the driver, such as a pizza delivery driver
• The owner of the vehicle, if the driver and owner differ, such as when parents give their children permission to use their vehicle
• The manufacturers of defective car parts, including cooling mechanisms, windows, tires, and other car parts
• Construction companies for failing to alert drivers about construction and to monitor where and when drivers need to change lanes, slow down, or take other precautions
• The Missouri or Kansas Department of Transportation if they fail to properly fix roads that have potholes or prevent other dangers that should be addressed when it is warm outside

We seek compensation for all your financial and personal damages. We also seek wrongful death damages if a car accident is fatal.

Injured in a summer crash? Let’s talk.

If a warm-weather accident left you injured, we’re here to help. The personal injury lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys support many victims like you in their effort to obtain the recoveries they deserve. Strong verdicts and settlements allow victims and families to move forward and send a message to drivers to be more careful. Stay safe out there this summer. And if something goes wrong, know that help is just a call away. To schedule a free consultation, call us or fill out our contact form. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis.