There's nothing like the feeling of driving along in your car on a sunny day. There's also almost nothing quite as dangerous as glare from sunlight for a driver's visibility. One of the things that makes glare from sunlight so hazardous is that there's often no warning. A slight curve in the road or break from tree coverage can suddenly send strong, blinding rays directly through your windshield. Any car accident lawyer who has been around a while will tell you that glare should not be underestimated. Get familiar with how glare from sunlight contributes to accidents. Why Is Glare From Sunlight Dangerous to Drivers? Anyone who has driven a car understands the nuisance that sun glare creates. However, most never stop to think about the quantifiable effects this distraction has on drivers. In 2023, researchers finally did a comprehensive study on the influence of sun glare on driving safety. The study found that glare is a factor that causes traffic accidents. During the "flash blinding" that occurs when sun glare suddenly enters the driver's line of sight, the rays actually scatter to form a bright veil that changes how the retinas see contrast. This explains why even the smallest sliver of light in your field of vision can completely obscure the road. During this moment of blindness, drivers cannot properly perceive road features, traffic signals, pedestrians, and road traffic. How Many Accidents Happen Because of Sun Glare Each Year? According to a decade-long analysis, there are roughly 9,000 life-threatening motor vehicle crashes in bright sunlight each year. An accident has a 16% higher risk of being life-threatening in conditions with bright sunlight compared to normal weather conditions. Is It Your Fault If Sun Glare Causes an Accident? The details of what you may or may not be liable for if you cause a motor vehicle accident while temporarily blinded by sun glare can vary. Things like state laws and insurance policy standards can dictate how much liability the driver must take on. However, sun glare is not generally considered a valid legal excuse for causing an accident. If you were hit by a driver who was blinded by sun glare, the distraction caused by sun glare does not remove the driver's negligence. To learn if you may be able to obtain compensation after a car accident caused by sun glare, speak to a lawyer today. The Responsibilities of Drivers in Sun Glare Collisions While sun glare is something out of our control, this natural and dangerous distraction on the road is still something that drivers are responsible for if accidents happen. Drivers should anticipate sun glare whenever they're driving in the daytime. This is especially true during sunrise and sunset times because sun glare tends to peak at these points in the day. By not adjusting your driving behavior to account for the potential for sun glare, a driver can be held liable for any damages that occur. How to Protect Yourself Against Sun Glare While Driving Simply remembering that sun glare is possible is the first step to being prepared to act accordingly when it happens. Here are some practical tips to remember that can boost your response time and prevent accidents: On sunny days, slow down to increase distance between your car and the car in front of you. This buys time when sudden glare impairs your ability to accurately measure the distance between vehicles. Maintain a clean, streak-free windshield at all times. Windshield cracks, dried condensation, and dirt can cause a kaleidoscope that scatters lights and dramatically reduces visibility. Confirm that your windshield wipers are working properly. This also includes checking that your washer fluid is full. Both of these things are crucial for being able to quickly wipe away dirt that is causing a kaleidoscope effect that enhances sun glare's blinding effect. Get polarized sunglasses for driving. Designed for high-altitude, high-sunlight conditions, polarized glasses can dramatically reduce glare. Rely on sun visors to block direct overhead light while keeping your main field of vision clear. However, it's important to place a sun visor at about a 90-degree angle to avoid blocking visibility. Setting the sun visor down too low can actually have the counterproductive effect of obscuring items in your main field of vision while your visibility is already compromised. Sun glare isn't just a summer problem. Many drivers are caught by surprise by blinding sun in the winter months on days that might not seem that sunny. That's because things like snow and ice have reflective qualities that amplify light as it bounces off surfaces. The same rule applies any time you're driving by a body of water. It's also important to practice general safe driving guidelines. This means not allowing yourself to become distracted by devices or conversation while driving. Additionally, the effects of driving with extreme tiredness or under the influence of substances can be amplified by sun glare. Final Thoughts: Drivers Need to Take Sun Glare Seriously The truth is that it's not all sunshine and meadows on the road just because the sun feels great coming in through the windshield. That relaxing sun can turn into blinding rays at the drop of a hat. There are thousands of life-threatening accidents each year because of sun glare. In addition, there are thousands more moderate to minor accidents that still result in things like serious car damage, painful long-term injuries, and expensive lawsuits. At the end of the day, no driver can afford to be relaxed about sun glare.