Texas Accident & Injury News
Sun glare is a major contributor to car accidents in Texas.
Teenage Girl Killed After Being Hit by a Car While Skateboarding on the South Side
According to a KSAT News report, a girl was killed in a car accident while skateboarding in a South Side neighborhood.
Police reported the accident happened at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13th, in the 400 block of East Villaret Boulevard on San Antonio’s South Side. A 14-year-old girl was sitting cross-legged on her skateboard while crossing the street when she was struck by a passing vehicle. Police believe that direct sunlight hampered the driver’s vision. The girl was rushed to the hospital with major head injuries, where she was pronounced dead at around 8:30 a.m. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police.
Did You Know?
912 pedestrians and pedalcyclists were killed in car accidents in Texas in 2023.
Sun Glare Accidents: Liability and How to Avoid Them
Summer is nearly here, and that means longer days with more sunlight—and more opportunity for sun glare.
Sun glare happens when sunlight reflects off your windshield, water, or a nearby car or building. It causes temporary blindness, putting drivers in a tricky situation. Sometimes, it even causes accidents.
But can you claim sun glare as an accident cause? How can you reduce the impact of sun glare to avoid an accident? Let’s take a look.
Can Sun Glare Be Responsible for an Accident in San Antonio?
Sun glare may contribute to or even directly cause a car or pedestrian accident in San Antonio. However, just because the sun contributed to the accident doesn’t mean that the driver is not responsible.
Sun glare is generally looked at similarly to a weather event. The same way that rain, fog, and snow can limit driver visibility, the sun can impact your ability to see properly and avoid an accident.
But drivers are responsible for taking extra precautions during inclement weather—similarly, drivers should anticipate the possibility of sun glare and use extra caution to avoid an accident. So, if a driver causes an accident because of sun glare, they are typically still legally responsible for the accident.
3 Tips to Reduce the Impact of Sun Glare
Sun glare is most likely to impact drivers in the early morning and in the evening—when a majority of people are commuting to and from work. You probably can’t change your route or adjust your travel time (which would be ideal).
But with 3 simple steps, you can minimize your risk and help keep others safe from an accident caused by sun glare.
#1 — Clean Your Windshield
Dirty, streaky windshields make the effects of sun glare worse. Use glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth to thoroughly clean the interior of your windshield. It’s best to do this in the morning or evening or in your garage, as direct sunlight will cause streaks to remain after cleaning. Most gas stations have cleaners for your windshield’s exterior to reach the areas your wipers miss.
#2 — Wear Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses block horizontal light rays, reducing glare. They also reduce eye strain from excessive brightness, making it easier for you to see other vehicles and pedestrians.
Consider keeping a pair in your vehicle so you always have one in case of unexpected sun glare.
#3 — Maximize Sun Visor Effectiveness
Sun visors are adjustable. Adjust the angle of your sun visor until it effectively blocks the sun so that you can see clearly. You may need to adjust your seat slightly. You can pop your sun visor out on one side to block sunlight coming in from your driver and passenger windows.
Of course, you can do everything right and still be injured in an accident caused by sun glare. When that happens, call Shaw!
Injured in an Accident Caused by Sun Glare in San Antonio? Call Shaw!
If you were hurt in an accident caused by a driver blinded by sun glare, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Surgeries,
- Medical Bills,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Missed Work,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio. There are no fees and no obligations attached—just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first.
We look forward to serving you.