Car accidents can happen anywhere to anyone at any time. Some of them are impossible to avoid, but most crashes can be prevented. By knowing common causes of car accidents, you can take steps to avoid them daily.
1. Distracted Driving
By far, the top cause of car accidents in the United States is distracted driving. Some of the most common actions for distracted driving include:
- Adjusting the radio
- Texting
- Looking at a phone
- Eating
- Reading
- Looking at or refiguring GPS
- Talking to passengers
- Correcting children
When you are driving, your attention should be on the road. If you cannot devote everything to driving, you should pull over and handle any issues before continuing your trip.
2. Speeding
It’s easy to get into the habit of driving over the speed limit. You may not think that 5 or 10 mph over the limit will hurt anything. But it can. Studies show that speeding is the riskiest behavior of aggressive driving.
Highways and other roads are designed by engineers to be driven at specific speeds. Curves, intersections, and other characteristics of the roadway are best handled at the speed limit. Exceeding that limit can cause a wreck.
3. Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a common cause of accidents. Intoxicating substances may confuse you and reduce your reaction time. Even simple motor vehicle operations like stopping in time for a red light can become complex if you are intoxicated. Don’t take the chance.
4. Inclement Weather
Weather such as rain, snow, ice, and fog can make it difficult to drive safely. You should avoid driving in dangerous weather. Instead, plan your trips on days with fair weather. If it cannot be avoided, then reduce your speed and turn your lights on to make sure others see you on the road.
5. Failure to Stop at Red Lights
Many people try to speed through yellow lights and get caught running a red light. This puts everyone in danger, especially when drivers who have a green light have already proceeded through the intersection.
You should slow down at yellow lights and come to a complete stop when the light is red. Do not try to make it through on “orange.”
6. Running Stop Signs
Like with red lights, people often fail to stop at stop signs. Sometimes people “roll through them” without looking for cars coming in other directions. This can cause a serious T-bone accident where everyone is injured.
7. Teenage Drivers
Although there is nothing innately wrong with teen drivers, they lack experience compared to older, more seasoned drivers. They tend to make simple mistakes that can lead to wrecks with other people on the road.
8. Roadway Design Defects
While engineers spend a significant amount of time designing roads to be safe, sometimes they make mistakes. Curves, intersections, lanes, and other roadway characteristics may not be properly designed.
If a design defect caused your accident, you might have to sue the government, a construction company, or another party.
The time limitations on those lawsuits may be different than normal personal injury cases. It’s important to contact a car accident lawyer right away if you think the road you wrecked on was flawed.
9. Driving at Night
Nighttime driving can be dangerous. Deer and other animals can run out in front of you without warning. It is harder to see other vehicles on the road. If you have eyesight problems, they are often worse at night. If you have problems or are anxious about driving at night, you should avoid it completely.
10. Unsafe Lane Changes
Changing lanes can be tricky. You may miss a car in your blind spot or forget to signal and sideswipe another car. It’s important to use your mirrors carefully when changing lanes and maneuver with care.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
There are many potential causes of car accidents, and it’s important to figure out what caused yours. When you work with Davis Injury Lawyers, we will investigate your accident and find out what happened. Then, we will hold the at-fault person or company accountable.
Call us today at (313) 462-7979 or use our online contact form to reach out.