Daylight Saving Time Accidents: A Hidden Danger

Twice a year, millions of Americans adjust their clocks for Daylight Saving Time (DST), an event that disrupts our sleep schedules, alters our routines, and, surprisingly, increases the likelihood of accidents. 

While many view DST as a mere inconvenience or a quirky tradition, its impact on public safety is significant and often overlooked. At Morgan & Morgan, we understand the profound implications of these time changes, particularly when they contribute to accidents and injuries.

Research has connected changing the clock twice a year to a series of negative consequences, such as an increase in strokes, suicides, and heart attacks. Another likely adverse side effect of Daylight Savings Time is an increase in auto and workplace accidents. This is especially true in the spring when we lose an hour of sleep.

If you believe you were injured in an accident because of Daylight Saving Time—by a drowsy and careless driver or some other fatigue-related accident—contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation that can be used to cover medical bills, lost wages, property damage, or even your pain and suffering.

The Science Behind Daylight Saving Time and Its Effects on the Body

Daylight Saving Time was initially introduced to conserve energy and extend daylight hours, particularly during the summer months. However, altering the clock—especially in the spring when we lose an hour—disrupts our circadian rhythms, the natural internal processes that regulate our sleep-wake cycles. 

Research shows that this disruption can:

• Reduce Sleep Quality: The hour of sleep lost during the spring transition leads to sleep deprivation, which can impair judgment, reaction time, and focus.
• Increase Stress Levels: Shifts in circadian rhythms can elevate stress hormones, affecting physical and mental health.
• Affect Heart Health: Studies reveal an uptick in heart attacks in the days following the springtime change.

When these factors combine, the risk of accidents—from car crashes to workplace injuries—escalates.

Daylight Saving Time and Car Accidents

The connection between DST and car accidents is well-documented. Studies from institutions like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show a marked increase in traffic collisions immediately following the springtime change. 

This spike can be attributed to:

• Sleep Deprivation: Drivers are less alert and more prone to making errors.
• Reduced Visibility: Commuters may find themselves driving in darker conditions, particularly in the morning.
• Increased Pedestrian Risks: Drowsy driving isn’t just a threat to other vehicles; it also endangers pedestrians and cyclists.

Workplace Accidents Spike After DST

Workplace accidents also see a notable increase after the clocks change. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) highlights several key trends:

• Increased Errors: Workers experiencing sleep deprivation are more likely to make mistakes.
• Higher Risk in Hazardous Jobs: Industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation are particularly vulnerable to these mistakes, given the reliance on precision and alertness.
• Lost Productivity: Fatigued employees are not only at greater risk of injury but also less productive overall.

Employers have a responsibility to mitigate these risks, whether by adjusting schedules or implementing extra safety measures during the transition period. When they fail to do so, injured employees may have grounds for a workers' compensation claim or even a personal injury lawsuit.

Heart Health and Medical Emergencies

The risk of medical emergencies, particularly heart attacks and strokes, rises significantly in the days following DST. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the rate of heart attacks spikes by 24% on the Monday following the springtime change. For vulnerable populations, this can be a life-threatening shift.

Families who lose loved ones or experience significant medical costs due to DST-related emergencies may not immediately recognize the connection. However, if negligence by an employer, driver, or another party contributed to the conditions that led to the emergency, legal action may be possible.

How to Protect Yourself During Daylight Saving Time

While legislative efforts to abolish or modify DST are ongoing, individuals can take steps to minimize their risks during these transitions:

• Adjust Gradually: Begin shifting your sleep schedule by 15-minute increments in the days leading up to the change.
• Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to reduce the effects of sleep deprivation.
• Stay Alert: Avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel fatigued.
• Use Extra Caution: Be particularly vigilant during the week following DST, whether you're on the road, at work, or engaging in physical activities.

Legal Options for Daylight Saving Time Accident Victims: Do You Need a Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in an accident that occurred in the aftermath of a Daylight Saving Time change, it’s important to explore your legal options. Depending on the circumstances, if someone else caused you an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

While you should immediately report a car accident to your insurance company or a workplace incident to your employer, don’t sign anything or disclose any information beyond the simple facts of the accident before speaking to a lawyer at Morgan & Morgan.

An experienced attorney knows the common tricks and tactics that companies can use to avoid responsibility, leaving you to bear the burden of an accident that wasn’t your fault. A lawyer can help you navigate this complex process and help to ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve to move forward with your life.

One important step in that process is determining liability.

Determining Liability

Establishing liability in a DST-related accident can be challenging but is far from impossible. For example:

• Car Accidents: A driver who caused an accident due to drowsiness could be held liable.
• Workplace Accidents: Employers who fail to provide adequate safety measures may be responsible.
• Medical Emergencies: In rare cases, negligence by healthcare providers or facilities during this period could contribute to adverse outcomes.

After liability has been established, a lawyer will then help to negotiate your compensation.

Negotiating a Settlement

Whether through workers’ compensation from your employer or the insurance company of an at-fault driver, your attorney can represent you and negotiate a fair settlement that can adequately cover your expenses and damages. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, Morgan & Morgan is always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve spent over 35 years helping victims of negligence secure the compensation they deserve. If you were injured in an accident after Daylight Saving Time, our experienced attorneys can investigate your case to identify the root cause of the accident, gather evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. We can even take your case to trial if necessary to achieve a fair outcome.

Daylight Saving Time may seem like a minor inconvenience, but its impact on safety can be profound. From increased car crashes to workplace injuries and medical emergencies, the risks associated with this biannual time change are significant. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we’re here to help victims navigate the complex legal landscape and secure the compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident related to Daylight Saving Time, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Daylight Saving Time cause accidents?

Currently, research has discovered a correlation between Daylight Saving Time and an increase in accidents. Here’s what the numbers tell us.

Research indicates lack of sleep results in a rise in motor vehicle accidents. Drowsy drivers react slower to other vehicles, as well as perform dangerous maneuvers they otherwise would not make. 

In 1999, researchers at John Hopkins and Stanford University published a detailed study in which researchers analyzed 21 years of fatal auto accident data. They discovered an increase in auto accident deaths on the first Monday following the switch to Daylight Savings Time in the spring. The first Monday after the switch to Daylight Savings Time registered an average of 83.5 deaths compared to the average of 78.2 fatalities on any other Monday.

Studies conducted on workplace accidents reveal a similar trend. Research released in 2009 demonstrated the Monday after the switch to Daylight Savings Time recorded a nearly six percent increase in the number of workplace injuries. The nearly six percent jump in the number of workplace injuries accounted for 69 percent more work days lost than the average number of workdays lost on any other Monday. Data for the study came from an analysis performed between 1983 and 2006 by the United States Department of Labor and Mine Safety and Health Administration.

What should I do if I have a car accident after Daylight Saving Time?

After a car accident, you should prioritize your health and safety and seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 to have emergency responders come to the scene. If you are able, collect evidence of the accident while waiting—take photos and videos or the accident scene and collect the other driver’s contact information, as well as the contact information of any witnesses.

Be sure to get a police report and notify your insurance company of the accident. Avoid making any statement regarding fault or anything else beyond the simple facts of the incident. 

Next, contact Morgan & Morgan to learn more about your legal options. If someone else, by negligence or fatigue from Daylight Saving Time, caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation. This can be used to cover subsequent medical bills, property damage, or even lost wages from missed work.

What should I do if I am hurt at work after Daylight Saving Time?

If you are hurt or injured at work due to someone else’s fatigue, your employer should have workers’ compensation insurance that can cover your treatment and time off to recover. You should report an accident immediately to your employer and seek medical treatment. You will then file a claim. If your claim is denied or undervalued, you can always contact Morgan & Morgan to negotiate a fair settlement.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.