While April showers do bring May flowers, they also unfortunately bring an increase in car accidents. Our solicitors typically see a spike in personal injury cases around this time every year. While accidents are caused due to many reasons, there are some that are more common than others.
In this blog, we explore some of the common causes that are linked to this phenomenon. We hope that it will arm you with some valuable information that can be used to avoid a potential car accident.
Wet Weather
Spring time in Northern Ireland is marked by wet weather. Rain tends to reduce visibility. It also makes the roads more slippery because the gaps in the road are filled up with water. This reduces traction and creases the chances of you hydroplaning. Unfortunately, the chance of a car accident increases exponentially under these conditions. If it’s raining, it is best to stay hyper-vigelant, keep a larger distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, and also lower your speed.
Increase in Traffic
Traffic tends to increase as the weather gets warmer and sunnier. People want to get out of the house, particularly around the Easter bank holiday, and unfortunately this increases the chances of getting involved in an accident. Drivers are exploring new areas across the country they aren’t familiar with, engage in tailgating, and occasionally even succumb to road rage. The best way to avoid these sorts of pitfalls is to leave yourself extra time to get to your destination and prepare your journey before you set out.
Distracted Driving
It is very easy to get distracted behind the wheel. Most people talk to passengers, eat, adjust car settings, or even use their phone while driving. Unfortunately, all of these can be very dangerous on the road and have been known to cause car accidents across Northern Ireland. You should keep distractions to a minimum and pull over to the side of the road if you need to make a call or deal with anything urgently.
Drowsy Driving
Changing your clock in the spring can wreak havoc with your sleep pattern. It’s completely normal to feel tired as your body gets readjusted. But being drowsy while driving will have a significant impact on your performance and cause an accident. If you’re feeling tired, the best thing you can do is to pull over to the side of the road and rest or let a passenger drive.
More Cyclists & Pedestrians
The warm sun always gets people out of their houses. Because there are far more individuals going for walks and riding their bikes, it’s important for drivers to be mindful of their surroundings. Pedestrian and cycling accidents can be very serious, so make sure to slow down and drive defensively.
People from across Northern Ireland frequently call or visit our offices, describing various injuries that they suffered as a result of their car accident. We have specialists standing by to help answer all of your questions and guide you through the claims process. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
