Spring is right around the corner in North Carolina and that means many more people are going out and enjoying the good weather. That also means that there are more commuters on the roads. And while many of those drivers may take extra precautions during the winter months to avoid crashes, there are situations that can cause spring car accidents that commuters need to watch out for.

Our North Carolina personal injury attorneys have been helping accident victims get the financial compensation they deserve for more than three decades. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury. The following are some of the risk factors to keep in mind to help avoid being injured in a car accident during the springtime. If you are injured in a crash caused by another driver, contact our firm for legal assistance.

Rainfall

The old saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” is certainly true, but it is important to remember that it is not uncommon for that rainfall to be so heavy that it is difficult for drivers to see the road in front of them. The other danger heavy rains cause is that the water collecting on the road can cause vehicles to hydroplane and drivers to lose control.

Temperature

North Carolina residents and visitors welcome the warm temperatures that arrive with spring, but it is important to remember that 70-degree daytime temperature can still drop significantly at night. This can be particularly dangerous if there has been rain during the day and the roads are wet, causing some very slippery conditions.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

The warm weather doesn’t just bring out vehicle drivers but also entices pedestrians and cyclists out into the sun. Drivers need to be vigilant at all times for people walking or riding their bikes. Tragically, almost 6,000 pedestrians and 800 cyclists are killed every year from being struck by vehicles.

Reckless Drivers

Unfortunately, many drivers make the mistake of thinking that if the weather is nice and sunny, they don’t have to adhere to safe driving practices as they do during the winter months. The arrival of spring often means sharing the road with drivers who speed, tailgate, and quickly and carelessly change lanes. If you are traveling near a reckless driver, give them the space they need and let them move way beyond you. If necessary, pull over to a safe area and let them pass.

Road Construction

Spring also means road construction crews will be out in full force working on new projects and repairing roads. Almost 800 people are killed in road construction areas each year. Always slow down and obey road construction speed limits. Proceed very cautiously.

Children

One of the most important things to remember this time of the year is that warmer and longer days mean more children are playing outside. Hundreds of children die each year and thousands more suffer serious injuries after being struck by vehicles. It can be hard to see children because of their size and they don’t always use crosswalks. Always be on the lookout for children, especially when you are driving through residential areas and school zones.

Contact a North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney for Assistance

If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver, contact a North Carolina car accident attorney to find out what legal options you may have. Not only may you be entitled to medical expenses and loss of income, but you may also be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and the scarring or disfigurement your injuries have left. Your car accident attorney can also deal with the other party’s insurance company to ensure that your rights are protected.

The legal team from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp has been advocating for injured clients since 1985 and will do all we can to ensure you receive the best possible outcome under the circumstances of your case. If you would like to meet with one of our skilled North Carolina car accident attorneys to find out how we can help, call us today for a free case evaluation.

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