Despite the continuous technological advancement in the vehicle industry, like adaptive headlights, and backup cameras, car accidents still occur on our roads more often than you think. Whether minor or severe, a car accident can drastically change your life in a blink of an eye.
Apart from the expensive medical expenses, you could sustain permanent injuries affecting your ability to enjoy life henceforth. Although some car accidents are due to human error, the accident that led to your injuries could be due to another reason beyond human error.
Understanding what led to your accidents and injuries is vital because this information can strengthen your compensation claim against the at-fault party. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine the cause of your car accident and the party to sue for your damages and other losses.
Continue reading this article to learn about the top causes of car accidents on our roads. Although not every accident is avoidable, you can reduce your chances by knowing the leading causes of car accidents.
Top Leading Causes of Car Accidents
It undoubtedly helps to know some of the most common causes of car accidents on our roads, especially if you or a loved one has an injury claim. Typically, when it comes to liability in car accidents, there are two categories of causes that you ought to know, including:
I. Driver's Error
According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) research, driver error on the road is the leading cause of most car accidents. These driver errors or mistakes on the road include (but are not limited to):
Distracted Driving
Unquestionably, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. When a driver is distracted, his/her attention is not on the road as a cautious driver should be. As they say, your brain cannot focus and pay attention to many things simultaneously.
Generally, distracted driving includes all distraction or attention-taking activities that can take the driver's attention and focus away from the road. Some of these activities or behaviors include (but are not limited to):
- Texting or talking on the phone
- Grooming
- Reading magazine or newspaper
- Kissing
- Applying makeup
- Playing with the radio
- Talking to other onboard passengers
- Eating
The exact attention-taking behavior that led to the car accident is an issue you should let your attorney figure out. A knowledgeable and skilled attorney will review your car accident case to know what led to the distracted driving car accident that left you with injuries and losses.
Speeding
Keeping up with traffic, running late to work, or simply unintentionally driving above the posted speed limit are some of the leading causes of speed-related car accidents. Speeding can cause a car accident or collision because it reduces the driver's adequate reaction time when he/she is on the wheel.
If you want to avoid a foreseeable collision when driving at 18 miles above the posted limit for that area, the chances are high that this accident will be unpreventable. When you suffer injuries in a speeding car accident, you must prove that the other party was speeding to recover your deserved damages.
If the defendant were driving his/her vehicle above the posted speed limit for that location, the court would consider him/her negligent per se. In that situation, he/she should be liable for your injuries and losses resulting from the accident.
With speeding being one of the most prevalent causes of car accidents, running late for that appointment or work is better than putting your entire life at risk.
Impaired Driving
As you could beware, driving or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is illegal. Despite relentless efforts by law enforcement officers to curb impaired driving car accidents, these accidents are still common, especially on holidays and weekends.
Although impaired driving is not the number one cause of car accidents, it is undoubtedly the most dangerous mistake many drivers make while on the wheel. Unlike a sober driver, a driver under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drug will have a slow reaction time, poor vision, and reduced cognitive ability while on the wheel, which is dangerous.
Generally speaking, you should never operate a vehicle if you are under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, or any illegal drug like pot or marijuana. If the car accident that led to your injuries and losses was due to impaired driving, the impaired driver or his/her insurer should pay you damages.
Since impaired driving is illegal, the court will consider the defendant negligent per se, meaning he/she should be liable for your compensatory damages. However, your injury attorney must provide adequate convincing evidence to prove that the defendant was under the influence and intoxication was the cause of the car accident.
Reckless Driving
Speeding, tailgating, ignoring traffic signs, and switching lanes without looking are indicators of reckless driving and can cause severe car accidents. Reckless driving is also a traffic offense because it shows disregard for human life, safety, and properties. When you suspect a driver is reckless on the road, reduce your car speed and give him/her the space he/she needs.
Although you could be the most cautious driver on the road, a reckless driving car accident can leave you with severe injuries and losses. When you sustain injuries due to another motorist's reckless acts like tailgating, you can hold him/her accountable for your damages and other losses resulting from the accident by filing an injury claim.
Running Traffic Signals
Approximately 40 percent of car accidents or collisions occur at intersections, and running traffic signals is the main cause of these accidents. It is not worth risking your life and the safety of other motorists because you cannot wait for one or two minutes to see the green light.
When a driver runs a red light at an intersection, the chances are high that he/she will crush another vehicle from the side, which can be dangerous and fatal, especially if he/she is driving at high speed.
Drowsy Driving
A tired driver poses the same dangers on the road as one is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Most people do not talk about it, but drowsy driving can cause a severe car accident. Not only is a fatigued motorist more likely to fall asleep while on the wheel, but fatigue can also undoubtedly slow his/her reaction time when responding to potential road hazards.
In contrast to a sober and alert motorist, a fatigued motorist or driver is more likely to run a stop sign or traffic sign. Drowsy driving becomes even more dangerous at night, especially if there are no streetlights on your path.
When you suffer an injury in a car accident, your attorney can help you determine the cause of the accident. Once you leave your injury case to an attorney, he/she will handle the rest. Your injury attorney will review your case to know whether or not the other driver was fatigued for the appropriate cause of action to obtain your damages.
Improper Turns and Wrong Way Driving
Although no one is perfect, you can certainly avoid some mistakes or errors while on the wheel because they can leave you with severe injuries or even cost your life. It is easy to make a wrong turn down a street road, especially if you are new or unfamiliar with the location or area.
If you are driving in a foreign region, you should pay attention to road signs in the area to avoid driving the wrong way or making improper turns. Before you jump onto or off a road or highway, know the right direction to move.
Similarly, when approaching an intersection, you should check to see if you are in the right lane for your intended or planned direction of travel to avoid making an improper turn. Many car accidents on our roads are avoidable if drivers are ready to pay more attention to the road to make better decisions.
When you suffer an injury in a car accident due to the fault of another person, you should talk to an injury attorney as soon as possible to know your legal options. Even if you are partly liable for your injuries, you could recover damages proportionate to your fault under the comparative negligence legal doctrine.
It takes a skilled attorney to convince a panel of 12 jurors or a judge that you deserve adequate compensatory damages for your injuries and losses resulting from the car accident. Do not hesitate to contact an injury attorney if you want to stand a chance of attaining maximum compensation on your injury claim.
II. Other Causes of Car Accidents Unrelated to Driver Mistakes or Errors
Sometimes even the most defensive and careful drivers on the road can fall victim to car accidents due to other issues or factors beyond their control, including:
Unsafe Road Conditions
Apart from a human mistake or error, a poorly maintained roadway can cause a car accident. Although it is not a common cause of car accidents, unsafe road conditions can cause severe car accidents. Generally, a poorly maintained road affects a driver's ability to control his/her vehicle.
Potholes are some of the most common unsafe road conditions that are likely to cause a car accident on our roads. When you drive over a pothole, there are chances that your car tire can blow out, or you could lose control of the vehicle, leading to a collision. If you see potholes or other unsafe road conditions on the roadway, you can avoid a car accident by ensuring that your vehicle tires do not drive over them.
What should I do if an unsafe road condition like a pothole is the cause of my car accident? Fortunately, even when the cause of your car accident and injuries is a pothole, you could be eligible for compensatory damages.
If a pothole was the cause of your car accident, the party responsible for maintaining the roadway should be liable for your damages and losses. In this case, the defendant could be the state or county government. If you have a viable injury claim against the state or county government, your attorney will let you know how to obtain your deserved damages.
Typically, you have not more than six months to file an injury claim against the state for an unsafe road condition car accident that led to your injuries. If you fail or forget to file your injury claim before the expiry of this time limit, you could lose your chances of obtaining damages for your losses.
That is why it is critical to have an attorney on your side as soon as possible if you have an injury case because he/she will understand these time limitations and file your case on time.
Manufacturing or Design Defect
According to product liability law, every manufacturer has a legal obligation to ensure their products are safe before reaching any customer's hands. That means you could have a viable injury claim against your vehicle manufacturer if your attorney can prove to the judge that the vehicle or its parts were defective before you had your hands on it.
Although vehicle manufacturers test their vehicles thoroughly and vigorously before they reach the market, even lawmakers acknowledge that defects can go unnoticed. Even if your car manufacturer or dealership was not negligent, they could be accountable for your losses and injuries under strict product liability law.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Typically, the aftermath of an accident includes injuries and vehicle damage. When you suffer injuries in a car accident, it could be challenging to point out the at-fault party immediately. However, as soon as the dust settles, all the parties involved will start pointing fingers at each other.
At this point, anything you decide to say to the other party could apply against you in court, weakening your claim against the at-fault party or their insurer. To stay on the safe side of the law and increase your chances of obtaining the deserved compensatory damages, hiring an attorney is a decision you cannot regret.
Your attorney can help you point out the cause of the accident, which is a critical factor when determining liability in a car accident. Briefly explained below are critical steps that can strengthen your compensation claim against the at-fault party after a car accident:
1. Do Not Leave the Accident Scene
Many do not know it, but driving off after a car accident can make you subject to hit and run charges. After a car accident, you should remain at the accident scene. While at the accident, you can take information or details of all the parties involved in the collision, including their names, contact information, driver's license numbers, and insurer details.
When preparing your compensation claim against the at-fault party, your attorney will rely on this information to prepare his/her arguments.
2. Call 911
When you call 911, paramedics and probably one or two police officers will come to the accident scene without delay. These officers will speak with everyone involved in the collision and prepare a report. The officers' presence at the accident scene is also helpful, especially if the other motorist was drunk driving.
If possible, do not forget to ask for the officers' names, badge numbers, and a copy of their accident report.
3. Gather Evidence
Although the officers' report will carry most evidence, it is wise to gather your evidence to strengthen your claim against the at-fault party. Talk to eyewitnesses and hear their point of view on the cause of the accident. If you have a smartphone, take pictures of your injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and the cars involved in the accident.
4. Seek Medical Assistance
Even if you do not have a physical injury, it is a brilliant idea to seek medical assistance as soon as you can after a car accident. Your doctor will know whether or not you have an internal injury that you cannot see with your untrained eyes.
5. Write Down Your View About the Accident
When you find a quiet moment after a car accident, write out your view about the accident as best as you can remember, including:
- The direction you were moving
- The specific accident's location
- The direction the other vehicle was moving
6. Call an Attorney
Ensure you talk to an attorney before putting your signature on any document that you receive from the other party's insurer or attorney. An injury attorney will protect your best interests throughout the claim process for the best possible outcome, including adequate compensation for your losses and injuries.
Find a Personal Injury Attorney Near Me
We invite you to call the San Diego Personal Injury Law Firm at 619-478-4059 if you have a car accident injury claim for an aggressive legal representation in your case to secure an ideal compensation. Once you contact us, our attorneys will jump into your case immediately to determine the cause of the accident and appropriate cause of action against the at-fault party for adequate compensation.