The 4 Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Every year, about 6 million car accidents occur on America’s roads.
You don’t have to be a driver to be alarmed by this figure. Anybody who uses American roads has a reason to be worried because sooner or later you’ll find yourself in a road crash. In fact, experts say that every driver will be involved in at least one accident in their lifetime. If ever you find yourself in a severe or major accident that resulted to significant injury to you or the other party, make sure to contact your insurance company and the North Shore injury lawyer.
Like any rational human being, you’re certainly wondering what’s the driving force behind these accidents. Well, wonder no more.
In this article, we’re fleshing out some of the most common car accidents in the country. Buckle up and read on!
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one cause of car crashes in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why.
How many times do you see drivers on their phones when behind the wheel? Several times a day, no doubt. If you’re anything like most drivers, you’re also guilty of this offense.
It’s not just mobile phones that are causing drivers to be distracted. If you have a habit of drinking coffee or having a bite when driving, you’re guilty of distracted driving. If you’re always fiddling with the car’s stereo when on the road, you’re multitasking, which also means you’re a distracted driver.
You don’t even have to fiddle with anything to be a distracted driver. Taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds or getting lost in your thoughts also amounts to distracted driving.
Preventing distracted driving is one of the simplest things to do, but it’s also the hardest. It’s simply a choice. You choose to stop being a distracted driver. Focus on driving every time you get behind the wheel. That latte, that text, that phone call, or whatever else it is you want to do when driving can wait.
Reckless Driving
One can argue that distracted driving amounts to reckless driving, but it’s such a big issue that it warrants its own section. You can be 100 percent focused on driving but still drive recklessly.
For instance, if you’re skipping red lights, failing to indicate when turning, and violating other traffic codes, it won’t matter whether you haven’t engaged in distracted driving. You’ll still be charged for reckless driving.
Overspeeding is another common kind of reckless driving. Speed limits exist for a reason. However, several drivers either choose to ignore these limits completely or simply don’t care about the consequences of going too hard on the accelerator.
Speed kills, and it’s indeed one of the top causes of car accidents in the country.
In the event of a car accident, damages can be divided into economic and non-economic losses. If you suffered an injury due to someone else negligence, hiring an experienced lawyer can help you learn more about the Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages in a Car Accident in D.C and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Overtaking recklessly is another top cause of accidents. Just look at the news and you won’t fail to see an accident that was caused by an overtaking driver. See this article, for instance.
Like distracted driving, it’s so simple to stop being a reckless driver. It’s a matter of choice. You can choose to follow traffic rules and reckless driving will be a thing of the past.
Driving Under the Influence
When you hear about driving under the influence, the first thing that comes to mind is alcohol – and for good reason. About 4 million drivers in the U.S. have admitted to drunk driving at least once in their lifetime.
However, driving under the influence isn’t just about getting behind the wheel when drunk. There are several kinds of drugs, drinks, and substances that can reduce your ability to properly operate machinery. Even prescription drugs that cause dizziness can impair your driving ability.
The same can be said of getting behind the wheel when your emotions aren’t in the right place. For example, if you just had a heated argument with your spouse and you get to driving immediately, it’s possible that you’ll be driving under the influence of anger.
Don’t drive under the influence of anything that impairs you physically, emotionally, or mentally. The danger is far too great. You could be involved in a clash that will leave you lifeless or with severe injuries.
Driving in Bad Weather
Bad weather doesn’t really cause road accidents. It’s drivers who choose to drive in bad weather that cause road crashes.
Most cars are built to perform during any kind of weather, but there’s no doubt their performance is severely undermined by bad weather. For instance, when it’s snowing, the roads become wet and slippery.
It takes a skilled driver with a car that’s equipped with proper tires to drive in snowy weather. It becomes harder to break, as cars need a longer braking distance to come to a complete stop.
When it is raining, visibility reduces, making it more difficult to see ahead. This increases your chances of ramming into another driver, or another driver ramming into you.
As a rule of thumb, don’t drive in bad weather. Always plan your route and familiarize yourself with daily weather forecasts before setting off on a trip. If you must drive, proceed with caution and ensure your car is ready for that kind of weather.
Know the Common Causes of Car Accidents
The vast majority of car accidents are preventable. This is because motorists and other road uses are well aware of the common causes of car accidents. When you know what causes an accident, you are in a better position to know how to avoid it.
Distracted driving, overspeeding, driving under the influence, and driving in bad weather are the top car accident causes.
Drive safely and keep reading our blog for more tips and advice.
