Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents claim thousands of lives each year, and injure many others. When operating a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the main causes of car crashes so you can be better prepared to avoid one.
The first and most frequent offender in the world of auto accidents is the distracted driver. There are many ways that attention can be diverted from the road--talking on the phone, texting and emailing, applying makeup, reading, eating, or looking at an animal, accident or other roadside interest. That is just a small list of the manners in which a person can find distraction. Even those who are wise enough to avoid the distractions of a phone or the ever-so-intriguing sirens of a nearby cop car are not always above the second offense.
Tired drivers take second place in the list of roadway threats leading to car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents. These heavy eye-lidded, day-dreaming, swerving individuals cause a tremendous number of accidents per year and no one is immune to driver fatigue. However, there are ways to avoid being caught exhausted behind the wheel. Suggested measures include frequent breaks on long drives (at least once every two hours), breaking up long drives between two or more drivers when possible, avoiding long drives after working, and when all else fails, do not hesitate to pull over if drowsiness or loss of concentration become a concern.
The third common cause of car accidents is drunk driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol is responsible for many deaths and injuries each year, in spite of the many people who protest, speak out in opposition of, and defend against this crime.
Speeding, another frequently ticketed crime, is another crash-correlated offense. Making it more difficult to stop quickly or maneuver effectively out of the way of oncoming obstacles, high speeds drastically increase one’s chances of facing a car collision. The same can be said of aggressive driving. Tailgating, disregarding traffic signals, swerving in and out of traffic, and failing to yield to another’s right of way are some of the most common forms of aggressive driving that have led to severe accidents resulting in injury or death.
Another of the leading causes of car accidents is poor weather conditions. When driving in weather that has created poor visibility, slick road surfaces, or other dangerous situations, a driver must react accordingly, by slowing speeds, creating large spaces between neighboring vehicles, and ensuring that headlights and taillights are on and functioning properly.
Although there is no way to fully ensure that you, as a driver or passenger, are entirely safe on the road, taking action to defend against these major threats is a good start towards assuring your safe return home.
To learn about important the above and other legal matters such as wrongful death lawsuits from litigators who have your best interest in mind, be sure to speak with our personal injury lawyers in Phoenix for more information.