Are Tinted Windows Dangerous?

At Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, our Longmont car accident lawyers understand first-hand that car accidents can be caused by many different factors. One of the most common causes of car accidents is poor visibility. Whether caused by weather, sunlight, distracted driving, or something else, a lack of visibility is when drivers fail to see what is going on around them and can include other traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, or dangerous road conditions. As far as window tinting is concerned, common sense tells us that tinted windows can make it more difficult for drivers to see what is happening outside their vehicles, and as a result, cars and trucks with tinted windows can be more dangerous than vehicles without tinted windows. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accident that you suspect was caused by tinted windows, we invite you to call our Longmont car accident attorneys today at 303-543-1000 for a free consultation about how we might be able to help you with your case.

A car with tinted windows does not automatically mean that the car is dangerous. As with anything, tinted windows in Colorado is really a matter of degree. For example, our Longmont car accident lawyers understand that living in Colorado means drivers experience intense sunlight and reflections year-round, and especially when sunlight reflects off wet roads caused by rain or melting snow. Having tinted windows can help reduce glare and offer a safer ride than experiencing glaring sunlight without tinting. Of course, using sunglasses is also a viable option to reduce glare and increase visibility. On the other hand, if a car’s window-tinting is so extreme that it impacts the driver’s visibility then it is a safety problem. Sometimes drivers with tinted windows are also using sunglasses, which can be a factor in a driver’s ability to see what is going on outside the car. Each case is unique, and the issue of window tinting can certainly be a factor in causing a car accident.

Fortunately, Colorado has laws that give us guidance as to what degree of window tinting is acceptable in our state. Colorado’s window tinting laws are found in the Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-227, and generally allow window tinting on a car, truck, or SUV.

Each window in a vehicle has a specific set of requirements as to the degree of window tinting that is permissible. For example, the front windshield must have at least 70% light transmittance, which means that 70% of light must pass through the windshield. The rest of the windows in a car, truck, or SUV can be tinted to allow 27% or more of the light in. However, as long as the windshield and the front-side widows let at least 70% of light pass through, then anything to the rear of the driver, including the back passenger windows and the rear window, can be tinted to allow less than 27% light transparency.

So how do you know if the tinting on a set of car windows is within the legal limit? Our Longmont car accident attorneys suggest that if you have questions about the legality of the window tint on your vehicle that you contact your local law enforcement agency and ask them to test the windows with a portable tint-meter. In the event you may feel uncomfortable having the police check your windows, you can always find a professional window tinting service that should be able to answer your window-tinting questions, including using a tint-meter.

Our experienced Longmont car accident lawyers recommend that you call 911 after an accident and report any potential contributing factors to the investigating officer. You can tell the officer that you suspect the driver did not see you, and that you suspect that the at-fault driver had illegally tinted windows. This is also a good time to tell the officer if you have other concerns about the cause of the collision including actions of the at-fault driver such as being on a cell-phone, texting and driving, drinking or drugged driving, and many others. Sometimes an at-fault driver will even admit to you what caused the crash, and this can be a good basis for the police officer to investigate specific issues of concern.

At Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, we are knowledgeable Longmont accident attorneys who can help you regardless of who or what may have caused your accident. We invite you to call us today at 303-543-1000 for a free consultation with our legal team to see whether we might be able to help you pursue your claim.