Driving can be fun but dangerous. Some of them are caused by ourselves and our behaviors, like drunk driving, but external causes are not in our power. Like roadblocks that we could drive around, but instead, we drive through.
When you get behind the wheel, there is much to consider, like responsibility, safety, road laws, etc. Since every car accident is different, drivers should know the leading causes of car accidents to prevent them from happening once they get behind the wheel. Drivers who have had a car accident can check the website of suitable car accident lawyers for help. This post will look at some of the leading causes of car accidents, related and unrelated human error.
Factors Leading To Car Accidents Speeding
Driver’s Mistake
Speeding is a major cause of car accidents and is more common than drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding causes nearly one in five traffic fatalities yearly. Speeding can cause serious injuries or death even when you aren’t the one driving.
Suppose you’re involved in a vehicle accident with another driver who was speeding. In that case, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills and other expenses related to your injuries if that driver was at fault for being negligent or reckless behind the wheel.
1. Drunk driving
Drunk driving is a significant cause of car accidents, and it’s also a serious crime. Drunk drivers often have trouble keeping their balance, staying in one lane, and maintaining a constant speed. They may weave between lanes or run red lights. Suppose you’re involved in an accident with someone driving drunk.
In that case, you must report the incident to the police immediately so they can arrest the offender and assess whether additional charges should be filed against them. If you are injured by a drunk driver or your property is damaged due to an accident caused by someone intoxicated, consult with an attorney about filing suit against them for compensation for your losses.
2. Distracted driving
Distracted driving is a very common cause of car accidents. Here are some examples of distracted driving:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Eating or drinking
- Reading, watching videos, or other forms of entertainment while driving
No matter what you do in your car, it’s important always to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
3. Driving recklessly
If you’re not sure what driving recklessly means, let me help. Driving recklessly is when you drive dangerously or unsafely, putting yourself and others at risk of injury or death. If you have an accident while driving recklessly, it’s likely because of one of the following reasons:
- You failed to give enough time for the road conditions to change before proceeding with your turn (or whatever else it was).
- You were weaving in and out of traffic without signalling correctly.
- You didn’t pay attention to other vehicles around you.
4. Running red lights and stop signs.
Driving through a red light or stop sign is illegal and can also be incredibly dangerous. If you run a red light or stop sign, you’ll likely cause a car accident—and not just any car accident, but one that might seriously injure or kill someone.
Running a red light or stop sign can also lead to more severe consequences than a broken windshield and insurance bill. Running the risk of causing an injury or death makes these violations serious offenses in most states. In some states, failure to yield at an intersection with traffic lights carries penalties as severe as reckless driving or vehicular homicide!
5. Fatigue
Fatigue, the most common cause of car accidents, isn’t just a problem for the sleepy person. It also affects the other drivers on the road. Fatigue can be caused by several factors, like lack of sleep, poor diet, and stress.
The effects of fatigue are serious; it can affect your reaction time and judgment in driving situations. If you haven’t had enough sleep or are exhausted because you haven’t eaten properly or are stressed about something else – all these could lead to dangerous driving conditions, which could result in an accident.
Unrelated To Human Error
Car accidents are common, but not all are caused by human error. The following are some common causes of car accidents unrelated to human error:
1. Weather Conditions
There is no doubt that the weather can have an impact on the roads and how people drive. Extreme weather conditions such as snow, ice, and rain can make driving more dangerous, causing severe car accidents. If the weather conditions are harsh enough, they can lead to a road or school closures. This means children will be off from school, and more people will be on the roads at once, trying to get somewhere quickly before their errands run out of time or before the storm worsens.
2. Road Conditions
A road’s condition directly impacts how safe it is for drivers to navigate through it. If debris or water is on the road, drivers may not be able to see as well as they usually do while driving down the street. Likewise, if potholes in the road have not been patched yet, this can cause severe damage to your vehicle if you hit them while driving down the street at high speeds.
3. Animals on the roadways
Animals roaming freely on busy streets can be dangerous for humans and animals because they often act unpredictably when startled by cars around them. This can lead to unexpected collisions between animals and vehicles that cause severe damage to both parties involved.
4. Mechanical Issues
If your car’s engine or transmission is faulty, it may not be able to accelerate or brake as it should, which could cause you to crash into another vehicle. This is especially true if the problem is intermittent and happens at the wrong time. For example, if you have an engine or transmission issue and suddenly lose power on a busy highway, you could crash into the vehicle in front of you because there was no time to slow down.
Conclusion
To avoid car accidents, there are many things you can do. First and foremost, always wear your seat belt. Second, if you’re driving at night, ensure your headlights are on (this will help other drivers see you better). And finally, be cautious when driving in bad weather conditions such as snow or rain because these conditions make it harder for drivers to see what’s ahead of them!
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