Going into fall and winter, more people find themselves driving to and from work or running errands in the dark. When the daylight hours start getting short, it’s more essential than ever for cars to make use of their headlights.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see vehicles on the road with only one working headlight. A burned-out headlight isn’t just a minor maintenance issue and an inconvenience. It can make it harder for the vehicle’s driver to see the road around them and harder for other motorists to judge the vehicle’s distance and speed. If an accident happens, that faulty headlight could also become a significant factor when it comes to assigning blame.
What does Texas law say about headlights?
Under Texas Transportation Code § 547.321, passenger vehicles generally must have at least two working headlights, with one on each side of the front of the vehicle.
When a driver only has one working headlight, it can cause issues with:
- Reduced visibility: Drivers may struggle to spot pedestrians, cyclists, animals, or obstacles along the road, especially on the side of the vehicle without a working headlight.
- Misjudging distances: Other drivers may mistake a passenger vehicle with only one light for a motorcycle or struggle to judge its position, which can lead to mistakes when turning or merging.
- Poor peripheral illumination: A burned-out headlight can generally make it harder for the driver to see hazards near intersections, curves and even along the shoulder of the road. It may also make it harder to switch lanes or merge on that side.
These problems become particularly dangerous during bad weather and on rural or other poorly lit roads where the visibility is already poor.
Does a burned-out headlight automatically equal negligence?
Not necessarily. Violating a traffic safety law can support a negligence claim, but only when there’s a connection between the violation and the car accident. For example, if a driver rear-ends another vehicle stopped at a traffic light, a burned-out headlight on either vehicle probably had nothing to do with the collision. However, if a driver with one working headlight fails to see a disabled vehicle at the side of the road in the dark and hits it, the broken headlight could be a big factor in determining each party’s share of the blame for the accident.
Ultimately, the question is whether the burned-out light contributed to the accident and resulting injuries. When it does, a driver may be held financially responsible. Speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a car accident can help protect your interests.