Last updated: July 2026
Sun glare accidents cluster around sunrise and sunset, when the sun sits low and lines up directly with a driver’s sight. NHTSA-linked research puts the number at roughly 9,000 crashes a year nationally, making it the second-largest environmental crash factor after slick roads.
A few seconds of blindness is all it takes: missing a stopped car ahead, misjudging an intersection, drifting out of your lane.
“The Sun Was in My Eyes” Isn’t a Legal Defense
It feels like something beyond your control, and in a sense it is. But Illinois law still requires every driver to adjust to the conditions in front of them. A driver who can’t see safely is expected to slow down, increase following distance, or pull over, not push through and hope for the best. Sun glare explains why a crash happened. It doesn’t excuse the driver from fault.
How Sun Glare Causes Different Types of Crashes
- Head-on collisions, failing to register oncoming traffic or misjudging its distance.
- Intersection accidents, missing a traffic signal or another car’s right-of-way.
- Rear-end collisions, not seeing a stopped or slowing car ahead in time.
- Pedestrian and cyclist accidents, reduced reaction time to someone crossing or riding along the road.
- Lane departure crashes, drifting into another lane or oncoming traffic entirely.
Reducing the Risk
- Keep extra following distance heading into sunrise or sunset.
- Use polarized sunglasses; they filter the horizontal light that causes glare.
- Keep your windshield clean. Dirt and smudges scatter light and make glare worse.
- Use your sun visor, and turn your headlights on so other drivers can see you.
- If you know a route is glare-heavy at certain times, plan around it when you can.
If a Sun Glare Accident Happens
Turn on your hazards once you’re safely stopped. Set out flares or reflective warning signs if you have them.
Call the police and get a copy of the report. Photograph the scene from multiple angles, including license plates, damage, and road conditions, and look for nearby security cameras that might have caught it. Exchange information with everyone involved, but avoid discussing fault at the scene; that gets used against you later.
Proving Fault in a Sun Glare Case
These cases turn on the same evidence as any other crash: police reports, witness accounts, road and weather conditions, and sometimes an accident reconstruction expert to establish what a reasonable driver should have done given the visibility that day.
Illinois’ comparative negligence rule applies here too. You can still recover if you’re found partially at fault, as long as your share is 50% or less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a driver avoid liability by blaming sun glare for a crash?
No. Illinois law requires drivers to adjust to visibility conditions, including glare, by slowing down or pulling over. Glare explains what happened; it doesn’t excuse the driver from fault.
How common are sun glare accidents?
NHTSA-linked research estimates roughly 9,000 crashes a year are attributed to sun glare, making it the second-largest environmental crash factor after slick roads.
What evidence helps prove a sun glare accident wasn’t my fault?
Police reports, witness statements, nearby security or traffic camera footage, and sometimes an accident reconstruction expert who can establish what a reasonably careful driver should have done in the same conditions.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?
Yes, as long as you’re 50% or less at fault under Illinois’ comparative negligence rule. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Injured in a Sun Glare Accident?
The Illinois personal injury law firm of Phillips Law Offices has a recognized reputation as having aggressive, skilled, and determined representatives and advocates for injured individuals and their families. Our Chicago car accident attorneys can investigate what happened and pursue full compensation. Contact us at (312) 346-4262 for a free consultation.
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