Was Your Florida Car Accident Caused by a Driver with Poor Vision?
Thousands of Floridians are diagnosed every year as nearsighted or farsighted or have other vision concerns, such as astigmatisms. Most require glasses or contacts to correct their vision. If vision is not corrected, people won’t be able to see straight, resulting in blurred vision, headaches, or even nausea.
It is essential for people to get their eyesight tested and treated if needed, especially if they operate a vehicle. Driving a car is the riskiest activity most people do every day. If eyesight goes untested, uncorrected vision can lead to auto accidents. Many of these motorists are thought to be elderly and suffer from eyesight that has deteriorated over time.
According to Ed Greene, the CEO of The Vision Council, more than 11 million Americans have uncorrected vision problems; this condition can lead to impaired driving. Because of its severity, motorists should be getting regular eye exams. There are many things that people cannot detect on their own like glaucoma or cataracts.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that more driving deaths occur at night. In fact, three times more fatalities occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. than occur during the day. Driving in the dark actually magnifies vision problems, such as peripheral vision, color recognition, and depth perception. Because the iris opens to allow more light inside the eye at night, glare and other errors in eyesight are amplified.
In order for Florida motorists to practice safe driving, vision needs to be checked annually, especially if headaches or blurred vision persists. It is important to wear the appropriate prescription lenses when operating a vehicle. Other safety tips are the following: wear anti-reflective lenses, prevent eye fatigue by taking regular driving breaks, avoid placing high-gloss cleaners on dashboards, and verify the vehicle’s headlights are turned on even before dusk.
There is no doubt that drivers who suffer from uncorrected vision pose a threat to other motorists and could become subjects in personal injury claims if involved in car accidents. When prescribed properly, new lenses can drastically improve people’s vision so they are no longer affected by poor eyesight.
If you have been involved in a car accident and would like an experienced attorney to give you advice on the law, contact a knowledgeable Orlando car accident attorney at The Francis Law Group at (888) 521-2721 to find out your rights.