What causes car accidents?
Car accidents are caused by many reasons. Some of these reasons include bad weather conditions, reckless, drunk, and inexperienced drivers, manufacturer defects causing unpreventable accidents, and more.
In this guide, I will cover the top 25 causes of car accidents and how to prevent them.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in the U.S. today. Distracted driving is often the result of people texting and driving. How to prove fault in a distracted driving case
- It takes only 3 seconds after a driver has been distracted for a crash to occur.
- Texting while driving increases the chances of a car accident by 23 times.
- Every day, about 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.
- Drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of fatal accidents related to distracted driving.
Prevention: Keep your eyes on the road at all times!
2. Speeding
Many drivers go over the speed limit, driving 10, 20, or sometimes over 30 mph. Driving over the speed limit is very hazardous and is a major cause of car accidents.
- 50 percent of speeding drivers in fatal crashes were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the car accident.
- 37 percent of all speeding drivers in fatal car accidents were alcohol-impaired.
Prevention: The faster you drive, the slower your reaction will be. Drive vigilant and cautiously.
3. Drunk Driving
When you drink you lose the capability to properly function behind the wheel. Drunk driving can be very dangerous and often times fatal. Driving under the influence of alcohol causes car accidents every day even though these accidents can be avoided.
- 1/3 of collisions in the US are caused by alcohol
Protect yourself and others, always use a designated driver if you go out and drink.
4. Aggressive Drivers
Reckless drivers who speed, change lanes too quickly, or tailgate will most likely cause an accident.
Reckless drivers are often impatient and drive aggressively on the road, make sure to keep a safe distance from these hazardous drivers. Read our recent post; Aggressive Drivers And How To Avoid Them.
5. Weather
Car accidents most often happen while it’s raining. This is because the rain makes the roads slick causing vehicles on the road to skid off the road. Learn more on weather and its impact on car accidents.
To avoid a car accident, drive very carefully when it’s raining.
6. Running Red Lights
Drivers that run red lights often cause fatalities because of side impact collisions at high speeds.
To avoid getting into a car accident, look both ways for oncoming cars while approaching the green light.
7. Running Stop Signs
A serious car accident occurs because many people ignore stop signs. Each year, thousands of car accidents occur because of one driver running a stop sign. Many rollover accidents and side impact car accidents occur because a driver ran a stop sign.
To protect yourself, always look both ways when proceeding through a stop sign.
8. Young Drivers
Most teen drivers drive recklessly. The lack of inexperienced teen drivers causes the likelihood of a car accident to occur.
9. Night Driving
Driving during the day can be dangerous but at night the risk doubles. When you can’t see what’s up ahead on the road you won’t be able to react as you drive towards it.
- 48 percent of all fatal accidents took place during nighttime conditions.
- Of these accidents, 41 percent occurred in dark, lighted conditions.
If you drive at night, make sure you are aware of your surroundings and other cars around the road.
10. Manufacturer Defects
Unfortunately, no cars are made perfect. A defective part in your car could cause a serious accident to occur.
There have been many design defects in the past, Ford Explorer rollover accidents and Toyota’s unintended acceleration crashes.
Take your car in for a checkup if the model of your car has a defect.
11. Unsafe Lane Changes
When drivers don’t make safe lane changes an accident can occur.
To prevent a car accident, use your turn signals, check your blind spots, and always proceed with caution when proceeding to the next lane.
12. Wrong-Way Driving
It happens, everyone has lapses of judgment when driving but it can be deadly. You may take a right turn and think you are going in the right direction when in fact it is a one way street in the opposite direction.
When you go the wrong way, you run the risk of causing a car accident. Always check for signs to make sure you are going in the right direction.
13. Improper Maneuvers
Making an improper turn and disobeying the rules on the road will cause a car accident to occur.
Always look for signs and obey the proper right of way before you make a turn.
14. Tailgating
Driving too close to another car is very dangerous. If the car in front of you brakes you won’t be able to react on time.
You can prevent accidents from happening by not driving too close to the driver in front of you, it doesn’t matter at what speed you are going.
15. Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs
Drugs can impair your ability to properly drive. If your mind isn’t clear and you don’t have control over your body then getting behind the wheel can cause a deadly accident.
- 18% of drivers under the influence were involved in a car accident resulting in a fatality
16. Ice
Some cars do not have four-wheel drive and this can impair your car from driving safely on ice.
Even if your car has four-wheel drive, there is still a chance that you can be involved in a car accident. Ice is very slippery and can be fatal.
Avoid driving in black ice.
17. Snow
Driving in snow can be very dangerous especially for drivers that are not used to driving in snow.
Always drive cautiously when driving in snow and keep your eyes on the road.
18. Road Rage
Road rage causes many accidents each year. Road rage can happen to anybody but there are some drivers that overdo it and let their anger overcome them. Tailgating another driver, speeding, or passing a driver while flicking them off can be very dangerous.
Avoid aggressive drivers to protect yourself on the road.
19. Potholes
Potholes can be very dangerous. Drivers can lose control of their car or blowing out a tire when they drive over these potholes.
If you see a pothole, you can avoid an accident by making sure your car does not go over a pothole.
20. Sleep Deprived Drivers
Most drowsy driving accidents occur at night.
- 48 percent of drowsy drivers are most affected between 9 pm and 6 am.
If you are feeling drowsy or having a hard time staying awake, pullover when it’s safe and try to take a 30 minute power nap.
21. Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts are very dangerous and can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
If you encounter a blowout, try to maintain control of your vehicle, pull over safely and you will likely avoid a fatal car accident.
22. Low Visibility
Fog can make driving extremely difficult because it prevents you from seeing the road in front of you.
Avoid an accident by using your headlights but never use your high beams.
23. Sharp Curves
Many drivers have lost their lives when approaching a curve.
Pay attention to the signs when approaching a curve, obey the speed limit, and drive cautiously to avoid an accident.
24. Animal Crossings
Many wild animals will get in front of you while driving.
To avoid them, you should watch out for any animals on the road and use your high beams when traveling on woody areas.
25. Street Racing
Many street racers upgrade their car with turbo engines and nitrous oxide boosters. However, this can pose a risk of car accidents occurring. During street racing, cars often reach very high speeds making a car accident much more dangerous and unlikely to yield any survivors.
Call Us Now
Immediately contact a lawyer specializing in car accident cases if you were involved in an accident. Our experienced car accident lawyers at Adley Law Firm will make sure you are not taken advantage of by your insurance company.
If you were injured and the car accident was not your fault, then don’t hesitate to contact the lawyers at Adley Law Firm. We will fight for your right to be fairly compensated. Call us at (713) 999-8669 or schedule a free consultation today. We have a contingency fee basis so you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
Source: Brian Beltz
