What causes car accidents?
Driving can be fun at the same time, a harrowing experience. Car accidents happen at any time and can lead to significant damage to vehicles and cause personal injury. It’s essential to find out what causes car accidents so we can avoid them and educate other drivers.
Read on to learn about the common causes of car accidents and how to avoid them.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. This often involves drivers looking away from the road to text or talk on the phone.
If you are distracted, you are not a hundred percent focused. This prevents a driver from seeing traffic changes that amplify potential risks to the driver and other cars on the road.
Distracted drivers may make rash decisions at high speeds. Education and awareness can help prevent distracted driving incidents and keep drivers safe.
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Speeding is when a driver exceeds the posted speed limit to reach their destination. This ignores that the speed limit is in place to help ensure safety and reduce the risk of an accident.
Reckless driving is when a driver does not consider the safety of other motorists, often resulting in aggressive cornering, improper overtaking, or ignoring the right-of-way rules. These behaviors put road users at risk of severe injury or death.
Car accidents can be avoidable by driving responsibly, adhering to the speed limit, and following basic road rules.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Drivers who have been drinking or taking drugs often don’t notice other cars or objects on or near the road. They don’t react as well to changes in traffic, and they can’t make decisions as they used to.
Drivers need to know that it’s never worth the risk to get behind the wheel while high or drunk. As a rule of thumb, don’t drive and drive.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
Disobeying traffic signals increases the risk of crashes in intersections with other cars. A driver who runs a stop sign or red light may hit oncoming traffic.
Crossing vehicles at high speeds make this type of accident dangerous. Drivers must obey traffic lights and look both ways before entering intersections. Since other drivers may not expect them to run a red light or stop sign, first-entry drivers have a greater duty.
To stay vigilant, drivers should follow the speed limit and preserve a safe distance. This reduces the risk of a red light or stop sign infraction car accident.
Hiring a lawyer to protect your rights is essential if you are involved in an accident. You can read more about how an auto accident attorney helps you navigate the complex legal process.
Poor Road Conditions
Poor road conditions can cause car accidents. Potholes, crumbling pavement, and other road hazards can make cars swerve and lose control.
In limited visibility, uncertain terrain and unexpected obstructions can cause accidents. Drivers may have trouble seeing hazards due to fog, rain, construction, or other factors.
Automobiles can skid and slide on slippery or wet roads, causing crashes. Drive safely and be vigilant always.
Vehicle Malfunctions
Vehicle malfunctions that cause car accidents are unfortunately too common. Mechanical failures such as brakes not working, tires that are not inflated, or worn down treads on tires are the causes of these accidents.
A malfunctioning transmission or engine can cause a car accident as well. Maintained vehicles can also be a significant cause of car accidents.
Issues like low amounts of oil, down or dirty coolant, or even a clogged air filter can lead to vehicle malfunctions that result in an accident. Other common causes of car accidents due to vehicle malfunctions include:
- Malfunctioning headlights
- Worn-out windshield wiper blades
- Out-of-date safety features
Keeping your vehicle in top condition is essential to reduce the chance of a vehicle malfunction resulting in an accident.
Fatigue or Drowsy Driving
When a driver is tired, they may not be able to make good decisions, pay attention to the road, or respond to sounds and sights. Additionally, tired drivers have slower reaction times, less awareness, and less coordination.
Some signs of fatigue are yawning, irritability, slower reflexes, inability to focus, and having heavy eyelids. To lower the risk of an accident caused by fatigue, tired drivers should stop driving, take breaks when driving long distances, and not drive late at night when the body’s natural circadian rhythms are at their lowest.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive drivers are likelier to engage in risky behaviors, such as tailgating, running red lights, and weaving in and out of traffic. These dangerous behaviors can lead to car accidents, serious injuries, and even death.
When a driver is impatient or in a hurry, they are more likely to act aggressively, like not checking their blind spots before changing lanes, turning without signaling, or changing lanes or stopping without signaling. These actions can lead to serious car accident injuries, which only highlights the importance of staying calm when on the road.
Driver education and making people aware of the dangers of driving too aggressively can help cut down on car accidents and deaths.
Recognize the Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can have profound implications and can be caused by several factors, including speeding, distracted driving, and impairment due to drugs or alcohol. It’s essential to recognize the common causes of car accidents and take measures to reduce your risk on the roads.
Take driving seriously, brush up on safe driving practices, and always wear a seatbelt.
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