Car accidents can happen at any time when you least expect it, and while you can make every effort to make safety a priority and follow the rules of the road, you cannot control the way other motorists drive. The more motorists there are on the road, the more likely it is that another driver will be speeding, tailgating, distracted by a text or phone call, or engaging in other unsafe driving behaviors that can increase the risk of a severe accident. While heavy traffic can be caused by various factors like road closures, car accidents, and inclement weather, traffic tends to be much heavier during rush hour. If you commute to and from work or school every day, avoiding driving during rush hour traffic may not be possible. However, there are steps you can take to navigate heavy traffic safely and reduce the risk of a serious car accident.
What Are the Most Common Types of Accidents that Occur During Rush Hour?
When there are more cars on the road, the chances of a car accident are much greater than when fewer cars are on the road. In addition, motorists are often impatient and can even become aggressive, particularly if they are running late or in a rush to get to where they are going. When this happens, the following types of accidents can occur:
- Rear-end accidents: When traffic moves very slowly, motorists can easily become distracted, or their minds can wander. In addition, if an impatient driver is tailgating, they are more likely to rear-end the vehicle they are following, particularly if distracted. While rear-end accidents are often relatively minor fender benders, they can be more severe if the vehicle that did the rear-ending was traveling at high speed or if the driver hit from behind hits their head on the steering wheel or suffers a whiplash injury.
- Running through red lights or stop signs: Heavy traffic often causes drivers to be a bit more reckless, particularly if they are running late. For example, drivers often try to speed through traffic lights as they turn from yellow to red or fail to come to a complete stop when approaching a stop sign. This can cause a serious car accident if vehicles from the other direction drive through an intersection.
- T-bones and head-on collisions: These are some of the most serious car accidents that can cause devastating injuries and fatalities, particularly for the passengers of the vehicles that are hit. Unfortunately, these accidents are more likely to occur during rush hour, when traffic is more congested.
How Can I Avoid a Car Accident During Rush Hour?
Rush hour can be a dangerous time to drive, particularly this time of year when it gets dark early, and the winter weather can cause hazardous road conditions. However, by making safety a top priority and keeping the following tips in mind, you can avoid an accident when driving during rush hour:
- Avoid driving during peak traffic times. While this may not always be possible, if driving during rush hour is unnecessary, try to drive when there are fewer cars on the road.
- Give yourself extra traveling time. When driving during rush hour, give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. While it may take 30 minutes to get to work when there is no traffic, it could take an hour or more during rush hour when traffic is particularly congested.
- Maintain a safe following distance. Too often, motorists tailgate when running late during their morning commute or they are in a rush to get home at the end of a long day. However, this increases the risk of a rear-end accident, which can become a multi-vehicle accident in heavy traffic.
- Avoid distractions. Distracted driving should always be avoided, regardless of traffic conditions. However, during rush hour, it is particularly important to focus on the road ahead and pay attention to other motorists in the vicinity.
- Check the weather report. If there is inclement weather in the forecast, consider staying off the roads if possible. If that is not an option, leave plenty of time to get where you are going, particularly driving during rush hour.
- Stay calm. If another driver cuts you off, is following too closely, or uses a rude gesture, do not engage or try to retaliate. This will only make the situation worse and potentially dangerous.
What Should I Do If I Am In a Car Accident During Rush Hour?
Ohio law states that motorists involved in a car accident must pull their vehicle over to a safe spot, call 911 to report the accident and whether there are any injuries, and remain at the scene of the accident until police arrive. If you suffered any injuries, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem relatively minor. Failure to do this can hurt your claim if you seek damages by filing a personal injury claim. It is also highly recommended that you collect as much evidence from the accident scene as possible, including pictures of your injuries, the damages to your vehicle, skid marks on the road, and debris on the road. Exchange information with the other driver, but do not say anything that can be interpreted as an apology, as this can be used against you and negatively affect your claim. It is highly recommended that you contact an experienced car accident lawyer who will protect your legal rights and assist you with every step of the claims process.
Our Cincinnati Car Accident Lawyers at Wolterman Law Office Represent Victims of Rush Hour Car Accidents
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident during rush hour, do not hesitate to contact our skilled Cincinnati car accident lawyers at Wolterman Law Office. We will thoroughly review the details of your case, determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and recover the damages to which you are entitled. To schedule a free consultation, call 513-488-1135 or contact us online. Our office is in Loveland, Ohio, where we serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park.