7 Shocking Causes of Road Accidents and How to Avoid Them

According to statistics, more than 38,000 Americans die in fatal road accidents every year and 4.4 million are seriously injured.

What’s more, California is one of the worst states when it comes to car accidents. The main reason for this is the high population levels here in the Golden State. Thanks to larger numbers of cars on the road, California is ranked as the state with the highest number of car accidents per year.

However, no matter how much traffic there is, a lot of road accidents are preventable and result from negligent driving.

If you are the victim of a crash, it’s important to know about the common preventable causes of car accidents. If you can prove that the other driver was acting negligently, you’ll have a better chance of gaining compensation.

Even if you haven’t been in a collision, you should still inform yourself of the causes of car accidents so that you can avoid them.

Keep reading to find out 7 top causes of road accidents.

1. Driving Under the Influence

One of the most common causes of car accidents is driving under the influence. This is also one of the types of car accidents where the inebriated driver is usually squarely at fault.

Alcohol isn’t the only substance to blame for accidents. Driving while under the influence of recreational drugs can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Certain pharmaceutical drugs such as opioids, some anxiety medications, and anti-seizure medications can also impair your driving ability.

2. Multi-Tasking While Driving

Another top cause of road accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving includes things like driving while talking on the phone and reading or sending text messages.

It also includes just about anything else that requires you to multitask while driving. Talking, listening to the radio, looking at sights next to the road, being lost in thought, etc.

According to car accident statistics, every day approximately 8 people die in accidents that involve a distracted driver.

3. Auto Defects

Besides driver negligence, some road accidents also stem from defective auto parts. If defective components in a car are the cause of a crash, you might be able to prove liability against either the manufacturer or another entity in the distribution chain of the vehicle.

To do this, you will need to open a product liability claim, which is different from a regular car accident case.

4. Road Hazards

Road hazards are another of the common causes of car accidents. Road hazards include things like:

• Intense glare
• Icy roads
• Pedestrians in the road
• Animals
• Heavy traffic
• Potholes
• Sharp bends
• Rain, snow, hail, and fog
• High winds

Certain road hazards are unavoidable, such as a deer jumping in front of your car. Other things you can prepare for. For instance, you can always keep a pair of sunglasses in your car to protect your eyes from heavy glare.

You can also drive more cautiously in areas where you know there are road hazards or when there is bad weather.

5. Speeding

Speeding is another leading cause of road accidents. It is also one of the preventable types of car accidents.

Because of this, drivers who are speeding will usually be the liable party in road accidents.

Not only does speed increase the likelihood of an accident, but it also increases the severity of potential damage and injuries. According to the WHO, an increase in an average speed of 0.6 miles per hour results in a 3% higher accident risk involving injury and a 4-5% increased risk of fatal crashes.

6. Driving While Drowsy

A further cause of road accidents is driving while tired. Unfortunately, a lot of people take to the road regardless of how tired they might be or how much sleep they have had.

Research has shown that sleep deprivation can have even worse effects on reaction time than alcohol consumption. The slower your reaction time, the less able you will be to make swift decisions in traffic, spot potential hazards, and compensate for them.

Unlike drunk driving, there isn’t a law that allows officers to pull drivers over who look sleep-deprived or tired. However, if a driver is involved in an accident, and it’s proved they were fatigued or lacking in sleep, this can be a punishable offense.

7. Generally Reckless Driving

Driving while tried is considered reckless driving in certain states. Besides drowsy driving, drunk driving, and speeding, many other reckless driving practices can result in road accidents.

One of these is driving through stop streets and red and yellow lights. This type of reckless driving is a recipe for collisions. If a driver runs a stop or a red or yellow light, they will also most likely shoulder to blame for any accidents that occur as a result.

Making improper turns and not using turn signals is also reckless driving behavior that contributes to road accident rates.

Lastly, road rage and driving while angry can also be reckless actions that can easily lead to accidents.

Road Accidents Don’t Have to Ruin Lives

Road accidents can happen to anyone at any time. As you can see, a lot of the causes of car accidents are preventable. However, no matter how cautious you are out on the road, there’s always a possibility of the unforeseen happening.

Have you been in a road accident recently? If so, you deserve compensation for any damages or injury you have experienced. Whether you are seeking compensation from another driver’s insurance carrier, or from your own, we can help you get the compensation you need.

The reality is that a lot of insurance companies will do everything they can to ensure you get the minimum payout possible. If you’re battling the consequences of an auto accident this is the last thing you need.

Whether you were the innocent party, at fault, or partially at fault, we can help. Contact us today and let us help you get the justice you deserve.