Common Causes of Accidents in September

September is here and so are the causes of accidents that tend to occur more often because it is September. To stay safer this month, it helps to know more about these causes, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’re ever hurt in a September-related accident.

Wet Roads

In most regions across the country, September guarantees an uptick of rainy days and morning dew, both of which contribute to wet roads. Drivers who have gotten used to the warmth of summer may not pay enough attention to the wet road conditions in September, putting themselves and others at risk of car accidents.

You can reduce your risk of wet road auto accidents by:

Slowing down whenever you are driving in the rain or when the road is wet.
Making sure your tires are in good condition.
Checking the weather forecast before you drive.

Fog & Cold Weather

Nowadays, people call September the “start of Spooky Season” because households start putting up Halloween decorations. Yet the scariest thing about Spooky Season is the increase in dangerous driving because drivers aren’t prepared to drive through fog and cold weather. Fog is more likely in the morning and sometimes late at night, and it can obscure entire roadways. Cold weather may put invisible ice (black ice) on the road, even well into the day, which can throw a car into an out-of-control spin.

You can reduce your risk of an auto accident caused by fog or cold weather by:

Slowing down if it is foggy.
Using defrosters and wipers before you drive if your windshield is cloudy.
Knowing how and when to use fog lights so you don’t blind yourself or other drivers.
Pulling off the road when visibility is very short.
Slowing down when crossing a bridge while it is cold outside (black ice is most likely to appear on bridges).

Falling Leaves, Dirt & Debris

Another September-specific weather pattern is an increase in debris along the sidewalk and walkways. Leaves start falling off trees in the aptly named Fall season. If the leaves become moist as they fall and collect, they can be very slippery, increasing the risk of a slip-and-fall accident.

You can reduce your risk of a slip-and-fall accident caused by wet leaves and debris by:

Sweeping away wet leaves, dirt, and debris from all walkways around your home.
Walking along sidewalks, not running.
Notifying business owners of potential slip hazards caused by leaves accruing by the entrances to their businesses.
Wearing appropriate footwear for wet weather.

Back-to-School Season

Many school districts nationwide start the semester in September, not August. Whenever schools start up again, you can be sure that the number of drivers and pedestrians during rush hour will increase significantly as parents take their children to and from school. This uptick inherently increases the risk of an accident. Schoolchildren who are walking to or from school may also be prone to stepping into the road without paying attention to traffic, which increases the risk of a pedestrian accident.

You can reduce your risk of a back-to-school-related accident by:

Slowing down when driving in school zones or when children are present.
Always following crossing guard instructions.
Coming to a complete stop when near a stopped school bus with its lights flashing (even if you are on the other side of the road).
Talking to your children about traffic safety when walking to and from school.

Call an Attorney After a September Accident

If you are in an accident in September that you think was caused by someone else’s mistakes, you might be able to use legal action to pursue compensation. For example, if a driver lost control on a rain-slicked roadway and hit you, that driver should be held liable for your losses. Or if you slipped on leaves while entering a local business, premises liability laws might allow you to hold the business owner or proprietor liable for your injuries.

In Texas, people can count on Hilliard Law for legal counsel after being in an accident, whether it was related to September-specific factors or not. Our personal injury attorneys are always standing by to hear from new and returning clients in need.

Call (361) 882-1612 to request a free consultation and ask about what compensation you might be able to pursue through an injury claim.