Nighttime driving is a challenge for many people. Those unfamiliar with the roads where they are driving may not be prepared for certain hazards like sharp turns that cannot be as easily seen in the dark. Some drivers also do not see as well at night as they do during the day, which can increase the chances of an accident.
If you suffered an injury in a crash at night and you believe the other driver may be at fault, you have the right to seek compensation for your pain, suffering, medical bills, and emotional trauma.
With a Biloxi night driving accident attorney on your side, you can have representation during negotiations with the insurance company. If the insurer does not offer a fair settlement, the Morris Bart law firm can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court.
Why Driving at Night Can Be Dangerous
Motorists should take extra care, both with their driving behaviors and keeping their vehicles in working order, when they plan on driving at night. There are several reasons why driving in the dark presents more dangers for drivers sharing the roadways than other times of the day.
If an accident during a nighttime drive leaves you with injuries, you may be able to show the other driver was acting negligently in a few different ways:
- Drunk driving: Intoxicated drivers are more likely to be on the road at night, violating Mississippi Code §63-11-30, which sets the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for a driver at 0.08%.
- Fatigued driving: Drivers operating in the late night or early morning hours may become fatigued, which could cause them to make errors on the road, potentially leading to injuries for other drivers and passengers.
- Broken headlights: Low beam headlights provide visibility of about 250 feet, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Having a burned-out headlight will greatly reduce this level of visibility. It may also prevent other drivers from seeing the oncoming car.
- Poor vision: A driver who knows he or she has compromised vision at night should not operate a motor vehicle after dark.
- Speeding: A driver who is speeding will have less time to react to a hazard than someone who is following the speed limit. This problem becomes heightened at night because of the limited performance of headlights.
- Glare: A driver operating a vehicle with a streaked windshield may not be able to see hazards clearly enough due to the glare of outside lights, leaving them in danger of causing an accident.
- Animals: Some animals, such as deer and raccoons, are more active at night, meaning a driver may swerve suddenly to avoid hitting an animal, leaving his or her lane, and causing a crash with other vehicles.
For a free legal consultation with a Night Driving Accident lawyer serving Biloxi, call (228) 357-9621
Other Dangers at Night
Certain individuals on the roads are in more potential danger at night than others.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Drivers at night may be concentrating on finding an address or a certain intersection, meaning they may not be looking for others nearby, such as pedestrians crossing the street or bicyclists on the side of the road.
If a motor vehicle driver hits you while walking or riding your bicycle at night, you have the right to seek damages for your injuries.
Stopped Car
If you must pull off to the side of the road to fix a flat tire or make a call on your smartphone, you should always activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position. This is especially important at night, as other drivers may not expect to see a car along the side of the road.
Still, a distracted or drunk driver may lose control of his or her vehicle, resulting in a serious crash with a stopped car at night.
Seeking Compensation for a Night Driving Collision
When another driver hits your car and causes injuries, you have the right to seek compensation. You and your Biloxi night driving accident lawyer will have to prove that the other driver made a mistake that led to the crash.
If police officers investigating the crash choose to issue a traffic ticket to the other driver, it can serve as evidence that the other driver should be liable. Liability and negligence are important pieces of your case that the team at the Morris Bart law firm can use to win a favorable judgment.
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Understanding How Contingency Fees Work
As a Biloxi night driving accident attorney, we at the Morris Bart law firm work on a contingency-fee-basis. We do not require our clients to pay anything ahead of time to secure our services. Instead, our fee comes from a percentage of the final settlement amount in the case. If our team fails to win a settlement, you do not owe us anything.
By using this type of fee structure, we can help victims who may not otherwise be able to afford an attorney. After serious car accidents, victims may be unable to work as they did prior to the crash, leaving them without a steady stream of income at the same time that they could be facing significant medical bills.
With our contingency fee arrangement, your Biloxi car accident attorney can begin working for you immediately, even if your employment status is on hold.
Call Now for a Free Consultation with a Team Member
Don’t wait to enlist our help if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a night driving accident. The sooner you begin working with us, the stronger your case may be. There are many forms of evidence that can disappear in a matter of days or weeks. A lawyer may be able to issue requests to preserve evidence, and we want to obtain all the evidence we need to ensure you have a compelling claim.
Call our firm today and receive a free consultation with a compassionate team member. They will learn about your situation and inform you of your rights and options. You don’t have to handle your case alone and shouldn’t. We are here to manage your case from start to finish while you focus on your health and wellbeing.
Questions?Call (228) 357-9621
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
