Auto accidents are can be exceeding difficult and traumatic to endure. The fact is individuals suffer serious injury or even loss of life in auto accidents every day. But what typically causes accidents on the roads. The truth is accidents often span from driver error or non-driver related causes. This blog posts will identify the top causes that lead to vehicular accidents on the roads in both categories.
Driver behavior that departs from safe driving standards typically is known as driver error. Unsafe driving behaviors actually cause a majority of vehicle accidents today. Four common driver errors that lead to car accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a condition we have come to hear about quite frequently in recent years. Whether multi-tasking or diverting your attention to a roadside accident, taking your attention away from the road while driving (especially at high speeds) constitutes distraction. Distracted driving even for a brief span of time can lead to serious accidents, injury or even death.
Driving Under the Influence
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol has contributed to more than 40% of all automobile-related deaths. Decrease in reaction time, reduced vision and poor decision-making all result from driving under the influence. These reduce the ability to drive safely on the roads in defense of self and others.
Driving While Fatigued
Fatigue has a similar effect on driving as driving under the influence of alcohol. When fatigued, drivers are more likely to fall asleep than those under the influence. Fatigue slows reaction times as well. Responding to unusual road conditions while fatigued could easily lead to an accident as a fatigued driver is more likely to miss traffic control signals, detour cones and other road sign indicators.
Speeding and Driving Recklessly
A common source of driver error is driving too fast for road conditions. It's a common issue with young drivers. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that teen drivers are more likely to speed than adult drivers. Poor decision-making is typically the cause of excessive speed on the roads.
Subverting the rules of the road is one of the poorest decisions that lead to accidents. Turning against the light, changing multiple lanes at ones, and turning from non-turning lanes can all lead to vehicle collisions on the roadways.
Non-Driver Error Accident Causes
Among the causes of accidents that occur on the roads today, a portion stem from issues not related to driver error. They include: physician condition of the road (potholes), weather conditions (snow and ice), and the mechanical performance of a vehicle (malfunctioning breaks).
If you have been involved in a car accident and would like to discuss a personal injury claim, call the experienced personal injury attorneys of Panio Law Offices in Chicago at (708) 928-8680. We have a wealth of experience winning the highest damage awards for our clients, and we will work hard for you.
Consultation is free and we never receive a fee unless we recover damages for you.