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A Time Change is Coming – And So Are More Car Accidents

As the end of Daylight Savings comes upon us, it is important to change your clocks but that is not all that you should be considering. Study after study has shown that when the time changes, more car accidents occur. While this is generally a bigger issue when the time changes in spring, it can also be an issue when the time changes in the fall.

In fact, one study found that not only are there 17% more car accidents in the week after a time change, but that there are 6% more fatal car accidents. Keep reading to find out why this is an issue. Then reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you need a free legal consultation.

Why do the number of car accidents increase after the time changes?

The physical act of changing a clock is easy enough but adjusting your internal clock is not as simple. This can be especially hard for an adult who already struggles to get enough sleep. In the fall, the biggest issue is the lack of light. When it gets dark earlier, drivers not only have more hours in which they are driving in the dark – which is already more dangerous – but their bodies will begin to tell them they are tired.

This can lead to drowsy driving, which results in lower reaction times. In fact, one study estimates that drowsy drivers are responsible for nearly $50 billion in damages every year. Another study showed that drowsy driving is responsible for about one in every five car accidents.

Is daylight savings important anymore?

Initially, daylight savings was created to help farmers get more hours in their fields. In more recent years, the argument in favor of daylight savings is that it reduces energy costs. However, those who do not think it should continue point out the fact that energy has become much more efficient and the benefits may not be there. One economist has estimated that the time change costs about $434 million each year in the United States.

The high cost of a single car accident

If you have already been in a vehicle accident then you already know how expensive it can be. According to estimates from the Insurance Research Council, the average single-car accident costs nearly $24,000. This includes an average of $15,000 for bodily injuries and another $8,000 for repairs to the vehicle and damage to property. Other types of accidents are much more expensive. For example, the average pedestrian accident costs $132,000 in medical expenses alone.

Reach out to a personal injury attorney if you are injured in a car accident

If you have been injured in a car accident then we highly recommend that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You can reach Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We are here to go over your case and offer our best advice on how to proceed.