Reducing Risk of Summer Accidents
Texan summers are legendary for their heat, but what many people are unaware of is that summer is the deadliest season of the calendar in most years. Temperatures and weather can actually have an adverse effect on automobiles, causing damage or even injury, and inexperience and emotions can run high in the summer weather. Being extra careful can help minimize your risk of auto accidents on hot Texas roads.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Ensuring your car or truck is in good working order can go a long way toward lowering risk. Car parts like rubber hoses can become cracked or ill-fitting, which can lead to serious car trouble like leaking fluids or engine issues, and in extreme situations can lead to a loss of power steering or brakes. Tires are another item on a car that very commonly fail or become run-down in summer, which can be a problem if they blow out, or if they become worn down you may be more likely to hydroplane on wet pavement.
If you do have an accident related to some fault or defect in your car, it may be possible to show that the part was defective, to begin with. If so, the fault for any liability would lie with the manufacturer, which might give rise to a lawsuit based in negligence under a theory of product liability. However, be advised that if you do bring suit under a product liability theory, you must be able to establish several very specific criteria, including the design being inherently defective, and there being a workable alternative, which can be difficult.
Be Alert
In addition to making sure your vehicle is in good shape, being aware of the changes on summer roads can help keep you safe as well. There are more inexperienced drivers on the road in summer, with school being out, and in some areas (especially big cities like Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston), vacationers and others who are unfamiliar with Texas roads are out as well. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names inexperienced and unfamiliar drivers as a significant cause of summer accidents, as well as increased prevalence of construction zones. If one examines statistics, the highest number of traffic deaths generally occurs in warm-weather months, with high numbers on weekends and in early evening.
While obviously your own alertness cannot protect you from another driver’s recklessness every time, it can help to be aware that these factors are present, and to try and drive defensively – for example, being aware of more tourists on the road can help prevent road rage, since tourists tend to drive more slowly and less confidently than locals. If you are involved in an accident, it can be important to show that your percentage of fault is at its lowest.
Call Our Auto Accident Lawyers
Summer is an enjoyable time to be out and around, taking in all the benefits of living in Texas, but caution is always a good idea. If you have been involved in an auto accident, our talented New Braunfels car crash attorneys at the Bettersworth Law Firm can help answer your questions about where to go from here. Call our office today to set up an appointment.
Sources:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.82.htm
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/52/3/2
