Each year in the United States more than five and a half million motor vehicle accidents occur. Approximately one million of those accidents happen as a result of poor visibility or adverse weather. Driving in bad weather and experiencing poor visibility greatly increases the chances of your being involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. A great number of Connecticut automobile accident cases happen during snowstorms, while it is raining or misting out, and during the time immediately before sunset and after sunrise. Some of these car and truck accidents occur because there is decreased visibility making it harder to see oncoming motor vehicles. There is one way that you can help to prevent these types of Connecticut car accident cases by making your vehicle easier to see in adverse weather conditions or in situations where there is reduced light.

What are Connecticut's Headlight Laws?

Connecticut General Statutes section 14 – 96 (a) states that motorists are required to use headlights any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, as well as when driving in poor weather where visibility is 500 feet or less or there is precipitation.

More specifically, the statute provides in relevant part that: (a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state shall display such lighted lamps and illuminating devices..., (1) at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, (2) at any time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred feet ahead, and (3) at any time during periods of precipitation, including, but not limited to, periods of snow, rain or fog.

In other words, all persons operating a motor vehicle within the state of Connecticut need to turn their headlights and illuminating devices on pursuant to the above statute.

What Constitutes Poor Visibility?

Poor visibility can result from a number of different factors such as:

• rain
• hail
• sleet
• freezing rain
• fog
• snow

The human eye also has problems in adjusting to rapidly changing environmental conditions involving light or darkness. These situations can make it much more difficult for you to operate a motor vehicle and be made aware of the potential hazards that are on the roadway in front of and around your vehicle and it makes you much more difficult to see other motor vehicle operators which might result in a serious motor vehicle accident.

If you have been involved in a Connecticut car accident that has been caused by another driver that has happened during adverse weather conditions or when the lighting is changing around sundown and sunset, then one of the contributing factors could be the fact that the other driver did not have his or her headlights on at the time of the collision in violation of Connecticut General Statute section 14 – 96 (a), which is an infraction. If you have been involved in some type of an accident and have been seriously injured then it is very important that you get immediate medical care and attention and then contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

What Should I Do if I Was Involved in a Car Accident?

You should not speak with the insurance adjuster or any other non-medical personnel about your case unless and until you first speak with an experienced Connecticut accident attorney. You could say any one of a number of things that could greatly reduce the value of your case or might even destroy it completely. You can browse our website and download any of our free books on Connecticut accident and injury law. You can also call and speak with one of our experienced lawyers to get your questions answered over the phone or you can schedule a free virtual consultation where one of our lawyers will be happy to meet with you to discuss the specifics of your case.

Do not make a mistake in attempting to handle your own personal injury case unless and until you first get the advice of an experienced Connecticut car accident lawyer. You should not be concerned if you do not have any money because our Connecticut car accident lawyers take these cases on a contingency fee basis and advance the costs to develop your case. You will not have to pay any legal fees or costs unless and until we recover money damages for you.