The fall is here, and most of us love it. The changing colors and the crisp fall Connecticut air is truly something to behold. However, with the onset of autumn comes shorter days as the sun goes down earlier every day.
For many people, there could be concern about whether the shorter days and increased darkness that comes with the fall could present greater danger of auto accidents, especially to pedestrians.
What does the evidence suggest?
Common sense would suggest that walking at night would be more dangerous than walking in broad daylight. While the evidence and research confirm this notion, it also surprises in that the increase in danger might be significantly higher than expected.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, there is a significant increase in accidents at night. In fact, the article discusses “the strong effect of lighting levels on fatal pedestrian crashes, with pedestrians being three to seven times more vulnerable in the dark than in the daylight.”
Up to seven times more likely to get into a pedestrian accident at night than in the day: That is an alarming statistic, indeed.
What does this mean for you?
Of course, it would be unrealistic to avoid walking at night completely. However, you can minimize walking at night. Whenever you can, try to walk during the day instead of at night. When you do have to walk at night, be extremely careful and always watch for unexpected traffic.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, make sure you work with an experienced legal team who can protect your interests and help you obtain the compensation you need to recover physically and afford the cost of medical care, lost wages and other damages.