With the time change often comes a feeling of discomfort as people adjust to different daylight hours. But research shows that pushing the clocks forward has another impact in the form of vehicle accidents. 

More heart attacks, strokes, and car crashes are always tied to the change in the clocks. The opposite holds when the clocks go back one hour in the fall when it comes to heart attacks and car crashes. Research completed at UC Boulder found that the traffic-related deaths drop by around 17 percent when the clocks fall back by one hour. The time change might only be one hour, but it can make a big difference.

Scientists believe that the reason for the spike in the spring and the drop in the fall has to due with distractions because of a lack of sleep. When people only get five hours of sleep per night, they are much more likely to get hurt in an accident. Those who get at least eight hours of sleep have the lowest risk of car crashes.

It can take as long as one week for everyone’s bodies to adjust to the time change. If you were already hurt in an accident following the shift forward in clocks and you believe the driver was distracted or drowsy at the time, this information could be used to help you recover compensation in a lawsuit.

Take extra care following the time change to pay attention behind the wheel.

All it takes is a tired or inattentive driver to cause a serious accident with injuries. Whiplash and other critical injuries could make it impossible for someone to return to work or live their life normally post-accident.