Many people in the state of Wisconsin enjoy this time of year. The cool temperatures and beautiful colors of the leaves as they change prompt many people to spend as much time out and about as possible. Despite these things, the fall season can be dangerous when it comes to automobile accidents. There are multiple reasons for this.
The first is the increase in deer activity. As a result of it being the time of year when the animals migrate and mate, they are more active than normal. In particular drivers need to be on the lookout for them in the evening.
Second, the position of the sun can cause a problem for drivers. Glare from the sun can make it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles, pedestrians and objects around them. Among other things, this could result in running stop signs or traffic signals.
As the temperatures drop frost and fog can also cause problems. Frost may make roads slippery while fog can impact a driver’s ability to see what is around him or her. Wet roads due to rain can also make streets more slippery than normal.
Though the fall foliage is for many people one of the best parts of the year, when the leaves fall from the trees they can cause problems for drivers in the following ways:
- Drivers may slow or stop suddenly to admire trees.
- Leaves made wet from rain can be slippery.
- Fallen leaves on the road may obscure road hazards such as potholes.
- Leaves can hide important pavement markings and traffic lines.
Last, children returning to school leads to more pedestrians out and about in the morning and afternoon. This increases the risk of a car being involved in a pedestrian accident.
These factors could contribute to single vehicle or multiple vehicle accidents. In these instances it could make sense to consult with a personal injury lawyer.
Source: esurance, “Dangers of fall driving,” Accessed Sept. 22, 2014