Despite the beautiful weather, summer is one of the most dangerous times to drive in Michigan. Factors like school being out, rampant distracted driving, and increased drunk driving all contribute to summer being one of the deadliest times for Michigan drivers.
In this guide, we’ll explore what makes summer driving so dangerous, walk you through your legal options if you’re injured in a wreck, and explain 5 key precautions you can take to keep you and your family safe on the road all summer long.
Is Summer the Most Dangerous Season to Drive in Michigan?
Summertime can be a seriously dangerous time to drive. According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle deaths are elevated during the summer months. There are a few potential factors contributing to this increase:
- School is out and there are more inexperienced teen drivers behind the wheel
- More pedestrians and bicycle riders due to nicer weather
- An increase in construction zones and workers on the road
- Increased speeding
- Increased drunk driving
In addition to these reasons, distracted driving remains a major contributing factor in crashes during the summer travel season.
What to Do If You’re Injured in an Auto Accident
Summer driving poses a variety of risks to drivers of all ages. If you find yourself in a car accident this summer, the action you take afterward can seriously impact your health and your ability to pursue compensation.
“If you’re injured in an accident in Michigan, you may be entitled to compensation from both your insurance company and the insurance company of the at-fault driver,” explains David Femminineo, founder and personal injury attorney at Femminineo Law.
Following these recommended steps will help ensure the best possible outcome following an accident:
- Seek medical attention right away. A prompt medical examination protects your health and strengthens your insurance claim. An immediate evaluation helps establish a clear causal relationship between your accident and your injuries. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s worth getting checked out by a doctor, as many symptoms (like whiplash and concussions) initially go unnoticed.
- Report the accident to local authorities as soon as possible. A police report serves as your first official documentation of the crash and can be a key piece of evidence later on.
- Document the scene and exchange information with the other driver and witnesses. Detailed photos and videos of the accident scene often serve as key pieces of evidence in auto accident cases. Likewise, it’s important to exchange insurance info with the other driver, in order to get your claim initiated. Finally, exchanging contact information with witnesses is a smart move, as their testimony can greatly strengthen your case.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident. Michigan drivers may be entitled to No-Fault benefits through their own insurance policy regardless of who caused the crash. Promptly notifying your insurer helps protect your ability to recover Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
- Consider speaking with a personal injury attorney. If you’re dealing with serious injuries or disputed fault, an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney can greatly assist you on your path to compensation.
Tips for Safe Driving This Summer
Although we pride ourselves on how we help our clients after disaster strikes, the real win is avoiding a serious accident in the first place. Below are some safe driving tips to keep in mind when you find yourself behind the wheel this summer.
Be Sure to Maintain Your Vehicle
Extreme heat can take a major toll on your vehicle. It’s important to inspect your vehicle and perform routine maintenance before you hit the road.
First, check the tires and batteries in your car. Extreme heat and heavy rain can be taxing on both, causing them to diminish much more quickly than usual.
It’s also a good idea to check that your air conditioner is working properly with an appropriate amount of coolant. Likewise, it’s also wise to check other important fluids such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, to avoid potential breakdowns.
Lastly, make sure to clean your windows before taking the road. Clean windows can reduce glare and greatly reduce the likelihood of a serious accident from happening.
Stay Alert
While driving on the road, especially during the summer months, it is extremely important to always stay alert and drive defensively.
The abundance of cars on the road, especially reckless and inexperienced teen drivers, can create increased danger to you and your passengers. Some ways to steer clear of these dangers include staying off your phone while driving, maintaining a safe following distance, braking early, obeying the speed limit, being aware of your surroundings, and expecting the unexpected.
Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
One of the most important changes in road conditions from winter to summer in Michigan is the exponential increase in pedestrians and bicyclists on the road.
By law, pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks. However, it is heavily advised to always yield to a crossing pedestrian (no matter where you see one), unless doing so would put you or your passengers in danger.
Construction Zones
Construction zones are an extremely common sight on Michigan roadways during the summer months. It is important to be cautious when passing through them because they can cause increased danger for you and for workers.
When driving in a construction zone, be sure to limit distractions, avoid tailgating other vehicles, keep a safe distance between your car and the workers, and follow all posted signs and traffic control devices.
Weather Conditions
Our final safe driving tip has to do with the weather conditions that summertime driving presents.
When driving or preparing for a drive in the summer, always keep sunglasses in your car, constantly keep your car’s interior cool, and never leave a child in the car unattended for any period of time.
It’s also important to consider the hazards that heavy rain can present. In the United States, approximately 75% of all car crashes occur on wet pavement, with 47% of those crashes occurring during rainy conditions. Wet roads cause your tires to lose traction and make it much easier to lose control of your vehicle. To avoid hydroplaning and losing traction, make sure to avoid large puddles and when you’re forced to drive through one, slow down as much as possible before entering the puddle.
By following these precautions, Michigan drivers can significantly reduce their risk of being involved in a serious accident this summer.
For additional driving safety tips and educational resources, David Femminineo regularly shares insights through David’s Driving Edge.
Warm Weather Driving FAQs
Is Summertime the Most Dangerous Time to Drive in Michigan?
Yes, summertime is the most dangerous time to be a driver in Michigan. Deadly crashes reach their peak during this time due to increased driving hazards like construction, drunk driving, and reckless teen drivers.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Car Accident?
Seeking medical attention, reporting the accident, documenting the scene, and notifying your insurer is a great place to start. Beyond these steps, consulting with an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney can help significantly strengthen your insurance claim.
What Steps Can I Take to Stay Safe While Driving During the Summer?
Maintaining your vehicle, staying alert, watching out for pedestrians and construction workers, and being cognizant of weather conditions will greatly reduce your chances of getting into a serious accident.
Talk to a Michigan Car Accident Attorney
Summertime driving in Michigan presents a variety of risks to drivers. These risks make the summer months one of the most dangerous times to be on the road.
If you find yourself in an accident this summer, you should consider the legal guidance of an experienced Michigan auto accident attorney.
The team at Femminineo Law has been handling personal injury cases for over 30 years and specializes in making meaningful recoveries for auto accident victims. We handle every case with a personal touch, taking extensive steps to understand our clients and their specific situations.
Give us a call at 855-65-CRASH or schedule a free consultation today. The Accident Response team will be deployed from the moment you contact us—preserving evidence, coordinating medical treatment, and guiding you through every step of the insurance claim process.
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