Could Covid19 Make Car Accidents Worse?

Stay-at-home orders are in effect for most states in the country, which means there are fewer cars on the road. So does this mean fewer car accidents? Probably. But there could be a spike in the number of fatal car accidents during this time period.

Why might the number of fatal accidents increase?

1. Speeding:

It might seem backwards that with fewer cars on the road, there could be more fatal car accidents. There is no dispute that with more vehicles, the likelihood of getting into a collision is higher. But with fewer cars on the road, drivers are often more inclined to speed and drive recklessly. With speed comes loss of control and with loss of control comes fatal accidents, or tragic accidents causing catastrophic injuries. This is why it is important that, even if you think there is no when else on the road, to abide by the speed limit.

2. Driving under the influence:

Unfortunately, COVID19 has caused millions of people to lose their jobs or shut down their businesses, and has left many at home with nothing to do. Coupled with the fact that in many states, liquor stores are considered essential business and remain open during the COVID19 quarantine, it would not be unusual to see a rise in alcohol consumption and driving under the influence, leading to alcohol-related car collisions on the road, leading to tragic injuries and fatalities.

3. Visual obstructions

Another effect of the COVID19 precautionary measures is drivers are now wearing face masks and other protective wear that they wouldn’t normally wear to drive a car. These protective measures, while they are geared at reducing our chances of exposure to COVID19, can cause visual obstructions and limit people’s peripheral vision, especially at night. Visual obstructions drastically reduce driver reaction time, which can increase the risk of catastrophic injuries or fatalities if an accident occurs.

What precautions can I take?

The first thing we can do is stay at home unless we absolutely need to be on the road. Another way we can protect ourselves is to obey the speed limit. We should not take liberties with our safety just because the roads are less busy. Also, if you plan on going out and drinking alcohol, call a rideshare to drop you home. And if you are wearing masks or other personal protective equipment while driving, make sure that you are able to see clearly. Lastly, make sure your car insurance is up-to-date and offers sufficient coverage.

We Are Here to Help

If you or anyone you know was seriously injured in a car crash, call us so we can help you. Our office remains open during this time, and you can speak directly to an attorney and get a free consultation when you call. We are available to speak with you via video conference, text or telephone. Call us or send us a message, or visit our website at www.wallaceinjury.com.