In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people in New York are turning to summer travel by automobile instead of by plane or train. As more people hit the roads during the summer, risks of a car accident increase. Yet even when an average number of motorists are on the roads during the summer, there are still hazards that drivers may not be considering. New York drivers often take winter driving hazards quite seriously, but they assume that summer and early fall months are relatively safe when it comes to inclement weather or weather-related accident risks. It is important to understand summer car accident dangers to avoid a motor vehicle collision.
Overheating Vehicle Risks
While a vehicle can overheat at any time of the year if it is not maintained properly, the risk of overheating is higher in the summer. In the event that your car overheats and stalls out in traffic, you could be involved in a serious motor vehicle collision. Why do cars overheat more often in the summer? The outdoor temperature and the heat from the asphalt you are driving on can make your engine more likely to overheat. You can avoid this risk by taking a number of steps, according to Nationwide, including having your coolant flushed regularly.
Highway Construction Crews
Highway construction can occur during most months of the year, but construction projects often get planned more frequently over the summer. As such, if you are taking a summer road trip or you are traveling to work on the highway during the summer, you should be on the lookout for construction crews.
Summer Thunderstorms
While inclement weather is more frequent in New York during the winter, inclement weather can also cause dangerous driving conditions in the summer. For example, a summer thunderstorm can make roads slick and can limit visibility significantly. If the roads are slick and you are on a motorcycle or driving in a car, you should be aware of accident risks. In addition, when summer thunderstorms limit visibility, it is important to slow down and to drive safely given the conditions. Even if you are traveling below the posted speed limit but there is limited visibility, you could still be considered to be speeding if you are traveling at an unsafe speed for the conditions.
Tire Blowouts in Hot Weather
Tire blowouts are more likely to happen in hot weather, and tire blowouts can result in serious accidents on highways. Tire blowouts are particularly likely if you are driving in the summer with underinflated tires.
Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer
If you are injured in a motor vehicle collision in New York, it is important to work with a New York car accident attorney on your case. Under New York state’s auto insurance law, you must typically begin the claims process by filing an auto insurance claim. However, if you sustained a “serious injury” as it is defined by New York law, you could be eligible to file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver. One of the experienced injury lawyers at our firm can help you with your claim. Contact Leitner Varughese Warywoda PLLC for more information about how we can assist you with your motor vehicle crash case.
