Looking At the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

As we know, car accidents happen every single day in the United States and are often the result of another person’s negligence or distraction. No matter how great of a driver you are, chances are you will be involved in some type of car accident at one point or another in your adult life. Over the last decade or so, we have seen a rise in the number of car accidents caused by distracted driving, which can be attributed to drivers texting, looking at their smartphone, and even using their tablet while behind the wheel. This is a major problem – especially among teens and younger adults. In order to stay safe while out on the roads, it is imperative we understand what some of the most common causes of car accidents are and how we can prevent them from taking place.

Even with numerous campaigns out there surrounding the importance of automobile safety and careful driving practices, we see accidents take place that are avoidable. According to road crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 1.3 million people die in road crashes every single year. This equates to about 3,287 deaths EACH DAY. An additional 20-50 million people are injured or disabled in car accidents every year. These numbers are shocking, to say the least. This is why it is so important for us to understand how car accidents happen, and what we can do to prevent them.

Let’s now look at some of the most common causes of car accidents:

• Speed – One of the main causes of serious car accidents is excessive speed. It is quite common for driver’s to break the speed limit, which puts both themselves and other drivers at risk. Excessive speed is especially risky during the winter months and in inclement weather, as drivers have less reaction time.
• Driving While Under the Influence – Another leading cause of car accidents is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These types of substances can impair a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle and make smart decisions while driving, which can be quite dangerous. If an accident occurs and drugs or alcohol are suspected, the authorities may perform blood alcohol tests or other tests to determine if the at-fault driver was over the legal limit.
• Distracted Driving – We briefly mentioned how dangerous distracted driving is above, but it is worth looking at in more detail. Distracted driving has become the number one cause of car accidents over the last several years, due in large part to the prevalence of cell phones in cars. People are constantly looking at their phone, responding to text messages, looking at social media, and even emailing while driving. According to some studies, distracted driving is just as – if not more – dangerous than drunk driving.

If you have been involved a car accident, it is important to first determine who was at fault and what the cause was. The personal injury attorneys at Rad Law Firm are prepared to go over your case and help you with the next steps. To schedule a consultation with one of our Dallas personal injury lawyers, please contact us today.