Here are the Common Causes of Car Accidents

According to statistics, an average of 37000 people died in car crashes in the United States last year, whereas more than 4 million were injured seriously enough to require immediate medical attention. Despite growing awareness about road traffic safety, stringent fines for traffic violations, and advancements in vehicle technology, car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the US and many other countries, as they continue to occur at an alarming rate. 

Avoiding injury-causing and fatal car accidents begin with familiarizing yourself with how they happen. This article will explore the most common causes of motor vehicle collisions and how you can prevent becoming an accident statistic. Without further ado, here are the following factors that play a leading role in car accidents worldwide. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving refers to engaging in any activity that diverts one’s attention from driving. It is perhaps the leading cause of car accidents and a serious and growing threat to road safety than ever. 

The prime distraction trigger today is the use of smartphones while driving. Using mobile phones causes drivers to take their eyes off the road and hands off the steering wheel and shifts a major portion of their attention away from the road and its surroundings. It is no longer an unfamiliar sight to drive past someone on the road driving while scrolling down on their cell phone feed. Besides, using a navigation system, grooming, and eating while driving is also common distracted driving behaviors.

Remember, not focusing your full attention on the road while driving endangers you and the passengers beside you, but other drivers and pedestrians in your surroundings too. Therefore, if there is one time or place where multitasking should be strictly prohibited, it is behind the wheel. 

Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance is a bad choice and one of the most surefire paths to a deadly road crash. While alcohol may be a common way to celebrate an occasion for many, drinking and driving is a terrible combination, often resulting in a dreadful misfortune.

Regardless of how sober you feel, alcohol undoubtedly has a profound effect on our driving ability. It impairs many driving skills, such as reducing our concentration and reaction time, hampering vision due to drowsiness, and affecting hands, feet, and sight coordination. While there are legal blood alcohol level limits, we suggest not getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, as it is a real gamble with your life as well as that of others on the road. Take a cab or ask or give your keys to a teetotaler friend to drive you home, as it is just not worth the risk.

Speeding

It is a common saying that “speed thrills, but kills.” While it may be tempting to press the pedal and push the speed limit if you are running late, or perhaps to pump up the adrenaline, it is better to resist the urge and stay within the legal speed limits. 

Overspeeding not only multiplies the risk of an accident, but the severity of it and injuries caused also increases manifold. After all, it is a no-brainer that a vehicle moving at high speed will have a greater impact during a crash than one traveling at a modest speed. The faster you drive your car, the harder it is to slow down or retain control when you face an unexpected situation on the road, increasing the probability of deadly consequences.

Reckless Driving

Besides speeding, switching lanes without indicating, racing spontaneously, merging erratically, tailgating at high speeds, or making illegal u-turns are all dangerous driving behaviors often causing horrible car crashes. 

Accidents caused due to reckless driving are completely avoidable. It is important to take your time and remain calm when behind the wheel to prevent needless accidents and tragedies caused by simple carelessness. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident and sustained injuries due to someone else’s reckless driving, then you have the legal right to approach a team of car accident lawyers and file a civil lawsuit for compensation to recover medical expenses and other damages caused as a consequence. Reckless driving is a serious traffic violation involving the blatant disregard for the safety of others. Perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice for the harm they caused to others due to their negligent acts.

Weather Conditions

Adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain or snowfall, dense fog, or even high winds can provide treacherous driving conditions and significantly affect one’s ability to drive safely. Slippery roads, poor visibility, flying debris, and hidden potholes can all lead to cars sliding off the road, rolling over, and colliding with other vehicles. 

While the best option is to stay off the roads during periods of bad weather, this is not possible every time or for everyone. It is essential to exercise extreme caution while driving in such conditions to arrive at your destination safely. Maintain low speeds, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, turn on your low-beam headlights, or pull off the road until the storm subsides. These are just some of the vehicle safety tips you may follow in such circumstances. 

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

Almost a thousand people get killed and many more injured each year in crashes related to running a red light, including pedestrians and cyclists. Not yielding to oncoming traffic raises the potential for accidents, which should be no surprise given that almost half the accidents in the U.S. occur at intersections due to not stopping at a red light or stop sign. 

While it may seem obvious to state, it is worth repeating. Red means stop! Whatever the reason be for your hastiness, you must NEVER fail to stop at a red light or stop sign. After all, you only get one chance at life, and it is worth living!

No matter how cautiously you drive, some accidents are bound to happen are not entirely avoidable due to the other’s carelessness. However, being on guard 100% of the time and complying with road safety rules when behind the wheel can substantially reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident and save you and your loved ones from the pain and suffering that ensues.