Allergy Season Poses Accident Risks

As Winter gives way to Spring and the seasons change, plants and flowers begin to blossom, often resulting in beautiful sights across America. California was blessed with a wildflower explosion, and waves of pollen have been sighted all across the country. Upstate New York is blooming as well. But even as people enjoy the beauty around them, those with seasonal allergies are suffering.

Allergies occur when the body overreacts to environmental stimuli, triggering many of the same symptoms as being exposed to viruses. As the immune system wages war, people suffer from watery eyes, itchy skin, and an overwhelming desire to sneeze. Though generally harmless, these symptoms do pose risks to drivers, particularly long-haul drivers who will find themselves tiring more quickly as a result of the overactive immune system.

Even apart from the risk of fatigue, some of these symptoms pose direct threats to proper reaction time. Watery eyes can make it more difficult to focus on the road, and itchy eyes can cause an almost irresistible impulse to rub, resulting in at least one hand off the wheel and obstructed road vision. Even multiple sneezes in a row can result in poor driving and an accident.

Seasonal allergies can often be minimized through the use of medications, but drivers must be particularly careful what they take. Though some allergy medications have limited side effects, others can result in extreme drowsiness. Taking these is very likely to result in falling asleep at the wheel, resulting in a high probability of an accident occurring.

If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a semi or other large vehicle, you will want to know what caused the truck driver to lose control of their vehicle. Whether it be medical in nature or caused by medication, an experienced attorney can guide you through the process of making your case.