Personal Injury Law Blog

Most US residents have accepted seasonal clock changes for Daylight Saving Time as inevitable. Yet Daylight Saving Time wasn’t always a feature of time tracking in the US. rather, the practice started in the US in 1918 to save energy during the First World War. 

The dates on which the clocks change have shifted over the years. Some parts of the United States have opted out of Daylight Saving Time clock changes altogether. However, for most Illinois residents, the clock still changes in the spring and fall. Grogginess and disorientation are common for those adjusting to the change – and they raise the question of whether Daylight Saving Time clock changes can cause more auto accidents.

Daylight Saving Time Changes Linked to Higher Accident Rates

Several studies of traffic accidents reveal that Daylight Saving Time clock changes are linked to a higher risk of traffic crashes. 

In a 2020 article, researchers found that Daylight Saving Time changes cause an increase in car accidents. The increase is most pronounced in spring. Moving the clock forward one hour in spring is linked to a 6 percent increase in fatal traffic accidents. 

Researchers found that the increase is most severe on the western edge of each time zone. For those in Illinois, this means that business or leisure commutes into Indiana and Michigan could come with additional risks during Daylight Saving Time. 

In a 2022 study examining 37 years of traffic crash data in Florida, researchers found that the “spring forward” shift was connected to an increase in fatal crashes, especially at night. The “fall back” shift in autumn was associated with a higher risk of total car accidents. The autumn Daylight Saving Time clock adjustment also brought a temporary spike in crashes involving more than one vehicle and in rush hour crashes. 

The Florida study found that the increased crash risk was highest on the Sunday immediately after the time change. Monday and Tuesday numbers were higher as well. Drivers commuting to work on these days face a higher risk of a crash. 

During a DST change, the risks to motorcyclists are even higher. A 2021 study of motorcycle crash rates in Europe found that DST clock changes can raise the risk of a motorcycle accident by over 50 percent.

Other Risks Associated With Daylight Saving Time Changes

Daylight Saving Time clock changes are also associated with an increased risk of workplace injuries. In a study of workplace injuries in Italy, researchers found that occupational injuries increase by 2 percent in the first three days after a time change. The study found that changes in workers’ sleeping patterns and changes in the available ambient light, especially in outdoor workplaces, account for the increase. 

A 2023 study of workplace injuries in Turkey found that when the country abolished Daylight Saving Time, workplace injuries decreased. Researchers compared workplace injury data from before and after the country abandoned Daylight Saving Time. They estimated that ending the twice-yearly time change prevented over 286,000 workplace injuries. 

Regular Daylight Saving Time clock changes come with risks as well. For instance, another 2020 study found that when clocks moved forward, people experienced sleep deprivation. This sleep deprivation caused increases in hospital admissions for injuries and heart attacks. 

Conversely, when clocks were set back an hour in the fall, hospital admissions for heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions decreased for approximately four days. Researchers attributed this decrease to the fact that people tend to get more sleep for the first few days after clocks are set back in the fall. 

What To Do If You’re Injured in a Car Crash This Fall or Spring

If you experience a crash, think about safety first. Do your best to keep yourself and others safe at the scene. Get medical care for yourself and anyone else as soon as possible. Call 911 in an emergency, or see a doctor or urgent care provider as soon as you can after the accident.

Also, collect all the information you have about the accident and keep it in a safe place. If you can, take photos and talk to witnesses at the scene. Keep copies of medical bills, car towing and repair bills, and other related paperwork. 

Third, reach out to a knowledgeable lawyer for help. If you’re injured in an auto accident, talk to an experienced Illinois accident injury attorney. The team at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg can help. We’ll answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you choose the right legal representation for you.