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What drivers should know about Daylight Saving Time

On Behalf of | Mar 17, 2018 | Car Accidents |

Drivers in West Virginia may still be feeling the effects of Daylight Saving Time. That’s why it’s important to know what to do during this period of adjustment. Failing to deal with the drowsiness that one feels after Daylight Saving Time can increase the chances of a car accident. According to AAA, drowsy driving is a factor in nearly 10 percent of all car crashes in the U.S.

AAA recently published a study suggesting a link between fatigued driving and the loss of one hour for Daylight Saving Time. The association therefore urges drivers to get to bed earlier to make up for lost time. On the road, they should use their turn signals at all times and always double-check when changing lanes since other drivers may be inattentive.

With the darker mornings, drivers are encouraged to be more vigilant and pedestrians are advised to wear bright clothing during the night, dusk and dawn hours. Since the sunrise and sunset can produce a glare, drivers will want to use their visors or invest in glasses with polarized lenses. It’s also important to remember that longer days mean that more people will be out in the evenings. Therefore, drivers should expect more traffic during their commutes home.

When negligent behavior like drowsy driving leads to an accident, the victim may file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance carrier. A lawyer could build up the case with the help of investigators, photographers and other experts. Once all the facts are gathered, the attorney can estimate a fair settlement covering vehicle damage, medical bills and other losses.