Car accidents in New York can be devastating and may cause people to sustain catastrophic injuries and even die as a result. Many factors, from increased distraction due to smartphones to outdoor weather conditions, can combine to make driving on the roadways a more dangerous experience. One study revealed that even light rainfall can significantly increase the risk for a dangerous or fatal crash. Rain, snow and ice can make roadway fatalities 34% more likely, according to a study from the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
Even simple drizzle, where pedestrians may not even carry umbrellas, could raise the risk of fatal car accidents by 27%. The study analyzed data from 125,012 fatal crashes that took place in the continental United States between 2006 and 2011. The researchers also assessed factors like the volume of traffic on the road in order to isolate the impact of weather. The researchers used precise radar data to determine the severity of the weather conditions when each crash took place. This enabled the researchers to detect the rise in deadly collisions linked to rain falling even at a rate of a 1/10 of an inch each hour.
The researchers warned that many people may discount or dismiss the impact of light rain, leading to dangerous carelessness, even when they may be aware of the dangers of heavy rain. Still, the heavier the rain, the more significant the jump in crashes. In moderate rain, deadly accidents were 75% more likely to occur than during clear weather.
The effects of the weather can be accentuated by drivers’ carelessness and inattention. Distracted driving is a particular concern, especially during light rain and drizzle. People who have been hurt in car accidents that were caused by someone else can consult with a personal injury attorney about pursuing compensation for their damages.