Experienced Missouri Car Accident Lawyer Protects Victims of Nighttime Crashes
Unfortunately, nighttime crashes in Missouri are all too common. The National Safety Council reports that the risk of a fatal car accident with night driving is three times higher than when you’re driving during daytime hours. At Foster Wallace, our Kansas City car accident lawyers understand how darkness can contribute to low-visibility accidents.
There are effective safety tips to reduce the risk of a devastating collision on Kansas City roads after dark. At the same time, some accidents may be unavoidable. If you find yourself in this difficult position and have been injured in a Missouri car crash, our experienced legal team is here to help.
Why Night Driving Creates Added Risks for Car Accidents
Several biological and environmental factors make driving after dark more dangerous:
Lower Visibility
Limited vision affects depth perception and reaction time. Your eyes need more time to spot hazards, judge distances, and adapt to changing light conditions at night. The average person's vision range drops significantly when using low beams while night driving compared to driving during the day.
Poor visibility also makes it harder to see pedestrians and cyclists. Dark clothing and minimal lighting make it difficult to spot others sharing the road. A driver using low beams may not see a pedestrian in dark clothing until it’s too late to stop safely.
Driver Fatigue
Fatigue impacts driver performance. Many nighttime crashes occur because tired drivers have slower reflexes and impaired judgment. Studies show being awake for 18 hours produces impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. Staying up for over 24 hours is equivalent to a BAC of 0.10%.
Headlight Glare
Glare from oncoming headlights temporarily blinds drivers. Recovery time from glare increases with age, making night driving particularly challenging for older motorists. As you age, you need more light to see at the same acuity compared to when you were younger.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Weather compounds visibility issues. Rain, fog, and snow become even more hazardous when combined with darkness. Missouri's varying weather conditions can create particularly dangerous driving situations after dark.
Darker Rush Hours
Rush hour timing during dark winter months adds risk. From November through February, many Kansas City commuters drive both to and from work in darkness, increasing exposure to nighttime driving hazards.
Missouri Night Driving Laws You Need to Know
Missouri state law requires drivers to use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Drivers must also turn on their headlights whenever weather conditions limit visibility to less than 500 feet. Proper headlight use includes:
- Maintaining both headlights in working condition. Burnt-out bulbs and misaligned headlights create dangerous conditions for all drivers.
- Using low beams around other vehicles. Switch to low beams when following other cars or facing oncoming traffic. This reduces glare and helps prevent accidents caused by temporary blindness.
- Keeping all vehicle lights clean and functional. Regular maintenance of headlights, taillights, and turn signals helps maximize visibility. This includes removing snow, ice, and dirt that can dim light output.
- Having working windshield wipers and washers. Clear visibility is essential for safe night driving. Replace worn wipers and keep washer fluid full to maintain a clear view of the road ahead.
Essential Safety Tips for Night Driving
Take these precautions when driving after dark in Kansas City to reduce the risk of a low-visibility accident:
- Slow down to allow more reaction time. Poor visibility means you need extra space to stop safely. Drive five to 10 mph below the posted speed limit at night.
- Keep all windows and mirrors clean. Dirt and streaks create glare and reduce visibility, especially at night. Clean both the inside and outside of your windshield regularly.
- Schedule regular vision checkups. Night vision often declines with age, making routine eye exams important. Consider anti-reflective coating on prescription glasses.
- Take breaks on longer trips. Stop every two hours or when you feel tired to prevent fatigue-related car accidents. Use these breaks to stretch, walk around, and refresh your concentration.
- Plan your route carefully. Choose well-lit streets when possible and familiarize yourself with the route before driving at night. Major roads like I-70 and I-435 often provide better lighting than surface streets.
- Maintain a safe following distance. Double the usual three-second rule at night to maintain a six-second following distance from the car ahead.
- Adjust your mirrors. Proper mirror alignment reduces blind spots and helps manage glare from vehicles behind you.
Case Result Shows the Real Impact of Nighttime Crashes
On Christmas Day 2022, a drunk driver ran a stop sign at the intersection of Hardesty and St. John in Kansas City, Missouri, causing a serious crash that injured a husband and wife. The Foster Wallace legal team helped these victims recover $200,000 in compensation for their injuries.
This real incident illustrates the devastating impact of nighttime driving hazards. It also highlights several common factors in nighttime accidents:
- The role of impaired driving, which becomes more prevalent during holiday periods and late-night hours
- The importance of proper traffic control observation, which can be more challenging in darkness
- How multiple victims can be affected in a single crash
- The value of experienced legal representation in securing a fair settlement
Our team's success in this case demonstrates our proven ability to handle the unique challenges of nighttime accident claims, including gathering evidence from low-light conditions and proving liability when visibility was limited.
Compensation Available After Kansas City Car Crashes
Victims of nighttime car crashes in Missouri may be entitled to several types of compensation:
- Medical expenses. You may receive coverage for emergency care, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and future medical needs related to your injuries.
- Lost income. Get compensation for missed work during recovery and any reduction in future earning capacity due to permanent injuries.
- Property damage. Seek payment for vehicle repairs or replacement, as well as for any personal property damaged in the crash.
- Pain and suffering. Receive compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma, including anxiety about driving at night.
- Loss of enjoyment. These damages account for activities you can no longer participate in due to your injuries, such as evening social events or night shift work.
If your crash involved a drunk driver, as in our Christmas Day case result, you may also be eligible to seek punitive damages meant to punish particularly reckless behavior.
