Car accidents happen to thousands of people every year. Not only that, but these crashes are responsible for a huge number of serious injuries and deaths of people worldwide. Whether minor or severe, these unfortunate events can dramatically change an injured victim’s life. They can cause permanent injuries and result in lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and many more.
Due to these circumstances, drivers should know how to prevent injury-causing and fatal car accidents. But, in doing so, it’s important to first understand how and why they happen.
Here are the five common causes of car accidents that drivers should be aware of:
Speeding
If you’re wondering why do car accidents happen and what causes most of them, this is one of the most common reasons. Driving at a high speed causes drivers to lose control over their cars, which often ends in a collision when they fail to bring their vehicles to a full stop at the right time. In short, excessive driving speed can cause cars not to stop nearly as quickly and make it difficult for drivers to maneuver curves or turns, and observe hazards on the road.
If you or your loved one suffered an injury in a car crash caused by someone else’s speed driving, don’t hesitate to seek legal help right away. There are experienced personal injury lawyers who can help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Drunk Driving
Despite the serious legal consequences associated with drunk driving, many fatal car collisions still happen because of impaired drivers. Typically, drunk driving occurs when people drink too much but still decide to drive home. Since drunk drivers have impaired inhibitions, they tend to operate their vehicles with excessive speed, which can lead to road accidents. That’s because their response time is also reduced by their drunkenness.
Reckless Driving
Another frequent cause of car accidents across the globe is reckless driving. This usually happens when drivers choose to change lanes without looking, ignore road signs, tailgate, and purposely refusing to abide by safe driving measures.
Like other common reasons of vehicular accidents, reckless driving can be prevented as long as the motorists will start to care about other people on the road.
Distracted Driving
Motor vehicle accidents also happen due to distracted driving. This means that the driver has many distractions that keep their eyes away from the road, their mind away from the task of driving, and their hands away from the wheel. In most cases, distracted driving occurs because the drivers are doing many tasks at a time and unable to concentrate on what’s ahead of the road.
The following are some examples of distracted driving:
- Sending texts and drawing the eyes to the mobile phone screen such as reading, typing, or scrolling on a smartphone
- Dealing with auditory distractions such as listening to loud music
- Checking one’s hair in the vanity mirror or reaching for something on the floor
- Squinting at a glare from direct sunlight or vehicle high-beams
- Daydreaming or being consumed with one’s thoughts
Causes Unrelated To Human Error
While most car accidents are commonly caused by human error, there are also instances wherein collisions happen due to factors unrelated to human error. These can include:
- Road conditions: Driving on poorly maintained roadways can increase the drivers’ chances of getting involved in a car accident. For instance, when the road isn’t in good working condition, it can cause the car’s tire to pop and affect the drivers’ ability to brake adequately.
- Weather conditions: Extreme weather conditions caused by rain, snow, and ice can also increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. When there’s rain, snow, or ice, the roads become slippery and may cause cars to hit other vehicles or objects, or simply slide off the road. Moreover, natural elements like water levels, wind speed, and fog can cause collisions on the road.
- Vehicle Defects: Vehicles are composed of different parts that keep them functioning safely on the road. These include brakes, traction control, headlights, and many more. Thus, when one of these parts malfunction due to defects or poor car maintenance, then vehicular accidents on the road are more likely to happen.
The Bottom Line
There are several common causes of car accidents that drivers should be wary of. But, despite substantial education and awareness about safe and defensive driving, many individuals still fall victim to traffic accidents.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash which isn’t your fault, it’s best to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you navigate all the legal options available to you. With them by your side, you can improve your odds of getting compensated for all your losses which are necessary for you to take your normal life back.
