Common Reasons Why Car Accidents Happen

Written by Jeremy D. Earle, JD

February 20, 2023

Best Car Accident Law Firm in Colorado Springs

Car accidents claim the lives of more than 90 Americans every day, and more than two million drivers suffer lifelong injuries due to car accidents each year. It’s simple to understand how motor car catastrophes affect a large number of individuals.

You won’t be able to avoid a collision caused by another driver’s carelessness. You can, however, educate yourself on some of the most prevalent causes of car accidents. Understanding which elements are most likely to cause collisions might assist you in making informed judgments on the road. If you can recognize the indicators of drunk driving on the road, for example, you may be able to call the cops and save the lives of others around you.

We’ve included a few of the elements that contribute to car accidents in the United States below. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does give a thorough look at some of the behaviors and practices that impact the chance of a collision.

THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF CAR COLLISIONS DRIVING WHILE DISTRACTED

According to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is responsible for the great majority of driver-caused car accidents, which resulted in over 3,000 fatalities in 2017.

While the word may bring up thoughts of teenagers texting behind the wheel, many adult drivers are also distracted while driving. According to statistics, distracted youths were responsible for fewer than 10% of deaths caused by distracted driving in 2017.

Distractions come in a variety of sizes and forms. Driving a car requires almost all of a person’s focus and cognitive effort—even a slight look in the wrong direction might result in tragedy. Many of us feel that distracted driving entails diverting one’s whole focus away from the wheel. This isn’t the case at all.

Distracted driving is defined as any activity or accident that diverts a driver’s attention away from operating their car. Distracted driving includes even eating or drinking while driving. When you consider how dangerous it might be to take the time to change the level of your music, the idea of texting while driving seems even more absurd.

Every day, thousands of irresponsible people drive distracted on America’s highways and freeways. If you’re on the road, you’re probably near someone who isn’t paying enough attention to the cars around them.

 

There’s no foolproof strategy to avoid distracted driving accidents—they’re unexpected and, it seems, all around us. Maintaining awareness and driving cautiously are the most effective ways for drivers to protect themselves. If you see a distracted driver in your area while driving, make efforts to keep a safe distance between you and them.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED

Every year, millions of Americans make the unfortunate decision to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to the CDC, about 30 Americans die every day as a consequence of drunk driving. Accidents that result in needless deaths cost the United States upwards of $45 billion each year. These expensive and devastating calamities occur when irresponsible people choose to endanger the lives of those around them.

In recent years, driving under the influence has been a significant problem. Impaired driving is responsible for over a third of all traffic-related fatalities in the United States. With the legalization and widespread use of marijuana products in several states, a rising percentage of drivers have THC in their systems when they are tested. The rising popularity of mind- altering medications and alcoholic beverages poses a severe hazard to drivers throughout the country.

You can take a few precautions to protect yourself and the people around you if you want to avoid drivers like these on the road. According to studies, most drunk drivers are between the ages of 21 and 34; if you know someone in this age group who may be in danger of driving while inebriated, urge them to get treatment or use alternative modes of transportation after drinking.

Keep an eye out for drivers who seem to be acting strangely on the road. If a car starts to drift significantly or the driver seems to be in a continual state of catatonia or correction, the driver is probably drunk. Maintain a safe distance from these drivers at all times, and contact local authorities as soon as it is safe to do so.

SPEEDING

Driving beyond the speed limit is very risky for a variety of reasons. It not only has the potential to terrify or shock unwary cars nearby, but it also puts everyone on the defensive. Drivers who exceed the speed limit have considerably less time to stop and prevent collisions than those who follow the speed limit. Cars in the vicinity of a fast car are also not given enough time to respond to the driver’s actions.

Many drivers choose to disregard speed restrictions; others may be uninformed of the rules and inadvertently exceed them. Whatever the case may be, there is never a good reason to speed. If they’re unsure, responsible drivers should always verify speed restrictions before going on the road. Even important deadlines and appointments may — and should — be postponed. Too many overworked professionals and busy parents overlook safety in a rush to get to work or school on time.

 

Other motorists opt to go faster than the speed limit for a variety of reasons. Speeding may be an indication of driving under the influence in certain situations. Speeding may occur in other settings as a consequence of inattentive driving. One of the many reasons why speeding is so injuryful is because of this. The problem may be self-contained, but it might also be a harbinger of more serious problems.

Never underestimate the serious hazards of speeding. In only one year, almost 9,300 Americans perished as a consequence of speeding. While we all recognize how tough it is to manage the demands of contemporary life, there is never an excuse to put others at risk.

DANGEROUS DRIVING

The term “reckless driving” refers to a broad range of dangerous behaviors. Some individuals may drive dangerously as a result of unique circumstances or for more sinister motives. For example, a guy may drive recklessly to get his laboring wife to the hospital, while another may drive recklessly due to road rage. It’s almost hard to know when or why someone would drive carelessly. That’s one of the reasons it’s so risky for other drivers on the road.

Some drivers incorrectly believe that reckless driving is a minor infraction. It isn’t the case. Fines, prison time, and probation may be imposed on those who drive carelessly in Colorado. Penalties rise fast and dramatically in proportion to the amount of property and human life destroyed. These sanctions apply to anybody who drives without regard for the safety of the persons and property around them.

Speeding isn’t the only sign of irresponsible driving. Most car accident instances involving reckless driving do not include the speed at all or combine speeding with another risky action.

Failure to scan for pedestrians;

Driving in an inappropriate place, such as the center of the road; Improper or unlawful passing;

Driving through congested areas with little respect for space; and

Disregarding the presence of minors are some additional characteristics that may indicate reckless driving.

If you see a careless driver on the road, call the police right away. Those caught in the path of a careless motorist might die as a result of their actions.

Santisteban v. State, a motorist driving a gasoline tanker carrying 9,000 gallons of fuel went at highway speeds over curving roadways.

 

Martinez vs State, a car exceeded the speed limit by more than forty miles per hour and passed another car in a no-passing zone.

Lewek vs State, a motorist, speeded and ran red lights while driving a car with a missing lug nut and worn-down tread.

ROAD RAGE AND AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

Experiencing aggressive driving or road rage from another motorist may be unnerving. Not only does the person have the ability to damage you and those in your car, but they may actively want to do so. These actions may result in injury or death for individuals who are near the aggressive driver, as well as the aggressive driver themselves.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studies, about 80% of American drivers have shown road anger behind the wheel at least once in the previous twelve months. This is only one of the many reasons why the procedure is so risky. We all run the danger of succumbing to our emotions at any given moment. While most of us manage to avoid provoking a commotion, other drivers persist in making matters worse.

According to previous studies, possibly aggressive driving conduct is to blame for more than half of fatal motor car accidents. While it may not always be the determining factor in a collision, this behavior significantly raises the danger of a car accident. Angry drivers and those around them have little room for error when they engage in unsafe, unpredictable, and aggressive driving behaviors.

Recognize the warning symptoms of aggressive driving and road rage before they worsen.

Excessive speeding; Tailgating; Running red lights;

Weaving in and out of traffic or pedestrians;

Excessive lane changing or blocking cars that attempt to change lanes; • Cursing, obscene gestures, yelling;

Throwing objects; Ramming; or

Forcing other drivers off the road Weather and road conditions are poor.

 

Car accidents are often caused by bad weather and poor road conditions. These are sometimes the cause of accidents that would not have occurred otherwise. In certain cases, poor vision or uneven roadways might exacerbate the issues stated above. Excessive potholes or poorly-marked construction zones may aggravate drivers already experiencing road rage, and severe weather may impede those drunk and struggle to keep aware of their surroundings.

Avoid situations where you know driving will be tough. If you want to avoid a dirty construction zone, it’s safer to take a longer alternative route to work. If you’re having problems navigating an area, chances are the cars surrounding you are having trouble as well.

Another reason why bad driving conditions may be so hazardous is because of this. Drunk driving and speeding are injuryful to everyone on the road, although they only directly influence one driver’s car operation.

If you’re driving in a tough-to-navigate location or the weather is making it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead of you, the majority of the drivers around you are likely to have trouble, even if they aren’t impaired in any other way. As a consequence, every motorist will feel perplexed, tense, and maybe irritated. It’s hardly even worth mentioning that this might cause road rage and aggressiveness. Driving under situations that prevent you from securely driving your car is not worth it. Avoid mishaps and outbursts of rage in favor of alternative options.

AN ATTORNEY CAN ASSIST YOU IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT

Even all of the information in the world isn’t always enough to avoid an car collision. Many accident victims are subjected to excruciating physical and mental pain due to the recklessness of other drivers. If this describes you or a family member, you’ll benefit from contacting an experienced and reputable car accident lawyer.

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