As an automotive engineer, I came across car accidents as a driver, and also as a qualified person who repaired cars involved in accidents.
Car accidents happen every day across the country, and the vast majority of them have similar causes. Being safe on the road and making sure you’re not engaging in these negligent behaviors is a must-have for all drivers.
While there are many different causes of car accidents, these five are the most common ones that I encountered.
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1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving tops the list of car accident causes. While it is often due to texting or using other handheld devices, other distractions can lead to crashes.
Stayin on the phone, adjusting the GPS, personal grooming, talking to other passengers, eating, and even smoking while driving are other common driver distractions.
2. Speeding
Speed limits are posted to keep everyone safe by ensuring drivers don’t drive too fast in places where high speeds are not advised.
When the speed limit is posted at 35 mph and someone is going 50 mph, they may not be able to stop or react in time. You’ll think that the difference is small, but trust me, those limits are not there for nothing.
Speeding drivers have less time to react to any changes on the road, which is why it’s one of the top accident causes. In fatal collisions, speeding is almost always a factor.
3. Drunk Driving
Are you surprised that drunk driving isn’t the top cause of car accidents? It once was, but with smartphones and other devices, distracted driving has overtaken drunk driving.
Even though drunk driving campaigns have helped to lower the rates of accidents, there are still a lot of drunk drivers on the road.
Sadly, when drunk drivers cross paths with innocent drivers, they might cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Don’t drink and drive! Not even a single glass of alcohol!
4. Reckless Driving
Reckless driving encompasses several different kinds of dangerous behaviors on the road. While speeding is usually involved, reckless driving is more aggressive and often involves swerving in and out of traffic and tailgating.
Drivers that engage in reckless behavior on the road are more likely to be involved in an accident.
5. Disobeying Traffic Lights and Laws
From red lights to stop signs, drivers that disregard the rules of the road can cause major accidents. Many of the drivers that ignore red lights or fail to stop at stop signs are only thinking about themselves.
Every driver on the road must remember to obey all traffic laws and signals to avoid disaster.
Weather is something that plays a role, though this factor is beyond anyone’s control. If you are concerned about getting into a car accident, you need to pay attention to what you’re doing while behind the wheel.
Make sure you avoid distractions and never drive when you’re under the influence. Be responsible and call rideshare to get you home safely.
As a driver who uses the car 90% of the time, it’s hard not to be involved in an accident, even if it’s a minor one, and yes, I have personally been involved.
After my incident, I sought the assistance of an experienced attorney, and their professionalism, diligence, and thorough understanding of the law greatly helped me understand what I had to do.
I can recommend reading more here about what to do if you are the victim of a car accident.
They ensured my rights were protected and helped me secure the compensation I deserved. Based on this positive experience, I would recommend seeking legal counsel if you find yourself in a similar situation.
