Car accidents are, unfortunately, a frequent occurrence in the United States. Many are simple fender benders that amount to little damage, but some have severe and even fatal consequences. In this post, we discuss the 14 most common causes of car accidents--and what you can do to prevent them.
1. Distracted While Driving
Paying attention to the road while driving is essential to staying safe. Texts, calls, personal grooming, or any other distractions cause you to lose critical seconds of response time. Always be attentive.
2. Drunk Driving
Drunk drivers wreak carnage on our roads every year. If you are feeling even a little tipsy, call a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home. Know your state’s legal blood alcohol limits and know your own body’s reaction to drinking. Think twice before you get behind the wheel after drinking—it’s not worth the risk.
3. Speeding
Sticking to the speed limit can be a challenge if you are running late for work, but speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Stay within the speed limit to ensure that you will have plenty of time to react to changing road conditions and avoid a wreck.
4. Reckless Driving
Being an aggressive, reckless driver is bound to land you in trouble. If someone cuts you off, be careful not to let road rage eclipse your common sense. Instead, move along, maintain safe following distances, and observe the rules of the road.
5. Slippery Roads
Whether due to rain or sleet, slippery roads are always dangerous. Your vehicle may not maintain good traction with the surface, and braking may prove hazardous.
A storm worsens the situation by creating poor visibility and a slick road surface. In such cases, the safest alternative is to pull over until the worst of the downpour passes.
6. Ignoring the Rules of the Road
Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, and overtaking on blind corners are examples of where breaking the law might lead to serious injury.
The sad part is that car accidents due to these causes are almost always avoidable. Remember that driving rules are in place because they save lives, so be sure to stick to the laws of the road to keep yourself and others safer.
7. Driving in Low Visibility
Seeing hazards in low-light conditions can be very difficult. Driving at night, in fog, or during a heavy rainstorm reduces your visibility significantly. Put your high beams on and drive carefully, being on the alert for potential dangers. If you meet an oncoming car and need to lower your beams, drive slowly and be alert and vigilant.
8. Tailgating
The road will always be full of drivers who drive too slowly for your taste. Tailgating them may relieve your stress of waiting for them to move faster, but it’s a dangerous and aggressive option. It allows no room between you and the car ahead if they need to stop in a hurry, and you may end up in a rear-end collision.
Proving that the other driver was at fault under such circumstances is difficult. You might well find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit for punitive damages.
9. Inexperienced Drivers
New drivers may understand safe driving in theory, but no book knowledge can prepare a young driver for every circumstance on the road. Beginners may improve their skills by taking a defensive driving course and getting in as much practice as possible.
If you are the parent of a teenage driver, be sure to set clear rules regarding driving speed and how to remain focused. Teaching your young adult about the potential dangers can reinforce the message. Practice and experience in different kinds of driving situations are the best way to become a safe driver.
10. Driving While Using Drugs
We automatically associate “driving under the influence” with being drunk. In reality, several mood-altering drugs may slow response times and lead to car accidents. Statistics point to a worrying trend. According to a 2017 article in The Washington Post, states with legalized marijuana experienced 3% more collisions than states where the substance was still illegal.
Driving under the influence of either illicit or legal medication or mood enhancers may be a recipe for disaster. If you receive medicine from the pharmacist, ask about potential side effects and interactions with other drugs that you are taking, and be sure to note any medications that may impair driving or equipment operation.
11. Potholes
Potholes may damage the tires and rims of your car, and they can also cause a driver to momentarily lose control of a vehicle. Clearly, you want to avoid them, but that may not always be possible. Swerving to avoid a pothole can cause you to leave your lane and hit other cars. It’s better to replace a rim than to be involved in a nasty wreck, so only swerve when there’s no other traffic.
12. Tire Blowouts
Having a tire blow out while you’re driving can be frightening and unnerving. Your car may suddenly lurch to one side, making it easy to swerve into another lane and hit another vehicle. While you cannot do a lot to prevent this from happening (other than keeping your tires in excellent condition), you can make sure you are in your most alert condition while driving.
Stay vigilant to surprises that might occur. Learn to manage your vehicle in a crisis, to keep yourself calm, and to pull over as safely as possible.
13. Animal Crossings
If you live in a rural area, you’ll understand the dangers that wildlife crossing roads pose. This is another situation, like blowouts, where you cannot prevent the situation. However, staying alert, driving defensively, and not exceeding the speed limit will all allow you to respond appropriately when an animal crosses your path. If driving at night, you can turn the lights onto their brightest setting and drive carefully in wooded areas.
14. Driving Through Construction Zones
The instructions for an area under construction may not always make sense. However, take things slowly and follow the cones and signs. Stick to the recommended speed limits and keep a reasonable traveling distance between you and the car in front of you.
Do You Require an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer?
Car accidents have several repercussions. They may entail expensive repairs or leave you vulnerable to reparative or punitive damages. Call (510) 328-3238 today to schedule a consultation with our experienced team.
We’ll assist you in determining what your rights and responsibilities are.
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