Common Causes of Car Accidents

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in car accidents. It’s important to understand how car accidents occur so you know the best way to protect yourself and your passengers while driving. A number of factors can cause car accidents, however some of the most common ones are:

Distracted Driving

Drivers can become distracted when they talk on the phone, send a text message, fiddle with the radio, eat, or talk to other people in the car. Teen
drivers are the biggest distracted driving offenders, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who engage in this dangerous behavior. It’s estimated that at any given second, there are over 650,000 people in the U.S. using some sort of electronic device while behind the wheel. Based on this shocking statistic, it’s not surprising that distracted driving leads to so many car accidents.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol and drugs can severely impact your judgment and motor skills, making it very difficult to safely operate a vehicle. How big of a problem is drunk driving? Well, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost one-third of fatal car crashesin the U.S. involve an intoxicated driver or pedestrian. If you spot a driver who looks like he is having trouble operating his vehicle or staying in one lane, steer clear of his vehicle and contact the authorities to protect other drivers on the road.

Speeding

Many people don’t think it’s a big deal to drive over the speed limit, but the truth is speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents today. Accidents caused by speeding can happen anywhere, not just on the major freeways and interstates where cars already drive at high speeds. In fact, more speeding-related
fatalities occurred on minor roads than major roads in 2015.

Reckless Driving

Drivers who swerve in and out of lanes, tailgate other vehicles, or fail to pay attention to traffic lights and signs are behaving recklessly. Operating a vehicle in this manner puts everyone else on the road at risk and often leads to car accidents. Reckless driving is not only dangerous, but it’s a crime with serious penalties and you can be charged even if you did not cause an accident.

Weather Conditions

Rain, snow, ice, and wind can make the roads more dangerous. These weather conditions can make it difficult for drivers to see other cars, traffic signs, and pedestrians crossing the street. Some conditions, such as wind and ice, can also impact the vehicle’s performance and make it challenging for the driver to control the car. To avoid getting into this type of accident, pay attention to the forecast and stay off of the roads until the weather has improved.

The next time you get behind the wheel, make sure you keep this list in mind and look out for drivers or dangerous conditions that could put you in harm’s way.

Even if you do everything you’re supposed to as a safe driver, it’s possible you could still be involved in a car accident. If you have been injured because of a negligent driver, speak with personal injury attorney James Rush at once. James Rush and his team will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve and the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions. Call 415-897-4801 today to schedule your free consultation.