Car accidents are an unfortunate and often life-threatening part of modern life. These accidents can also result in immense property damage and financial strain, so understanding their common causes is crucial to reducing risk.
Various circumstances can lead to a car crash, ranging from human error to uncontrollable weather events. A large part of avoiding accidents is establishing safer driving habits in each driver.
However, preventing a collision isn’t always about the decisions one makes while behind the wheel. Safety starts with knowing when it is safe to drive.
What is the Leading Cause of Vehicle Accidents?
Knowing it was completely preventable is one of the most frustrating parts of a car accident. The majority of crashes stem from human error, and some causes are more common than others. Some of the leading causes include the following:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving encapsulates anything that takes the driver’s attention off the road. The rise of handheld technology has dramatically increased the number of road distractions such as phone calls or video streaming.
However, distracted driving also includes actions like eating food or switching the song on Spotify. The most dangerous type of distraction is texting. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that texting distracts drivers for an average of five seconds at a time.
Speeding
Speeding is a contributing factor in roughly one-third of motor vehicle deaths. Higher speeds increase the risk of losing control and make the resulting crash more devastating.
Drivers also have less time to react to changing road conditions at high speeds and face reduced effectiveness from safety devices like airbags.
Driving Under the Influence
Over 10,000 people die each year in alcohol-related crashes. This statistic covers roughly 32 percent of vehicle fatalities in the United States.
Aside from the devastating loss of life, driving under the influence of alcohol can result in felony offenses, and even minor offenses can cost drivers tens of thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees.
The legal blood alcohol limit (BAC) for driving in all states is 0.08. Some factors affect the legal limit, such as the driver’s age, repeat offenses, or state-level legislation. It’s estimated that a 0.08 BAC slows the average driver’s reaction speed by 120 milliseconds, which is equivalent to an additional twelve feet traversed.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Inclement weather, such as heavy rain, snow, ice, and fog, makes driving significantly more dangerous due to reduced visibility and road traction. Bad weather can also increase traffic, affecting driver behavior and vehicle proximity.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, adverse weather accounts for roughly 15 percent of the annual fatal crash rate. However, the number of injury crashes is significantly higher, at 19 percent.
Vehicular Malfunctions
On the surface, vehicle malfunctions are the most fickle cause of car accidents. Sudden defects like brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, and faulty headlights can lead to loss of vehicle control and/or increased driving difficulty.
While these problems are sometimes outside of drivers’ control, routine vehicle maintenance can mitigate their likelihood.
How to Prevent Common Car Accidents
Car accidents are sometimes out of drivers’ control. We can’t affect other people’s choices, only our own. However, taking proactive steps to protect oneself can significantly reduce accident risk and make a driver more prepared to tackle unexpected variables.
Minimize Distractions
It is difficult to completely avoid distractions due to the sheer volume of technology available at all times. Some devices, such as touchscreen tablets or smart windshields, are even built into vehicles.
Manufacturers and service providers are attempting to seamlessly fuse these technologies into the driving experience so that they do not interfere with the driver’s focus. However, even momentarily looking at another screen can lead to disaster.
Tasks like adjusting car settings on a tablet, responding to a text message, or changing the song are best left to passengers. When alone, drivers should prepare before their drive by putting their phone on silent, creating a suitably long playlist, and eating while stopped.
Obey Traffic Laws
Speed limits, stop signs, and street lights exist for a reason. Although it may seem tedious to follow traffic laws at all times, these rules prevent crashes at intersections, rear-end collisions, and loss of vehicle control.
Obeying traffic laws also reduces a driver’s liability in the event of a crash. The driver can more easily claim the other party’s negligence or fault on insurance and avoid raising their deductible.
Don’t Drive Under the Influence
DUIs can display a lack of self-control or poor decision-making skills. This stigma leads to several legal consequences, such as losing driving rights.
Additionally, a DUI accident leading to physical injury or property damage is a felony in most states. These incidents can result in life imprisonment and extreme fines, depending on the severity. A few ways to avoid this fate include:
- Make Prior Arrangements Before Drinking: Before going out, choose a designated driver who is responsible for driving everyone home and will remain sober throughout the night.
- Stay Overnight: Ask the host if you can stay the night rather than drive home. If the event is more public, book a room at a nearby motel or hotel.
- Hire a Ride-Sharing Service: Use Lyft or Uber to travel to and from the destination. If necessary, intoxicated people should leave their car behind and return for it the next day.
- Utilize Technology: Many people overestimate their alcohol tolerance. A breathalyzer can give a crude estimate of BAC.
Check and Adapt to Weather Conditions
Looking up weather and road conditions can save a driver’s life. Drivers should adjust to these changing conditions by increasing their following distance or utilizing their high beams during heavy rain. It’s also best to start braking at greater distances before a turn in poor road conditions.
It is also recommended that a more suitable vehicle be chosen in certain conditions. All-wheel-drive systems are preferable for slick roads. These systems deliver power to every wheel, preventing stalling and increasing control.
Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Proper vehicle maintenance increases road reliability by preventing mechanical failures that lead to accidents. Vehicles should be routinely checked at professional garages. There is only so much the regular person will notice.
However, drivers can increase their safety by more regularly checking the following factors:
- Tire Tread: Tire tread depth affects the vehicle’s grip on the road. This factor is particularly important on wet or icy roads to avoid skidding. The “penny test” is often used to diagnose tread depth. Place the penny inside the tread and see if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head.
- Brake Pads: Vehicle owners can check their own brake pads for appropriate thickness. Overly worn brake pads may increase the required stopping distance, resulting in rear-end collisions. If they are less than a quarter-inch thick, these parts should be replaced.
- Lights: Head and rear lights are essential to high visibility and signaling vehicles behind you. Drivers should also check that these are functioning before leaving, but doing so is more important before a night drive.
When You Need to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident
Despite every precaution, it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of a car accident. Consulting a legal professional is sometimes required in cases involving the following factors:
- Severe Injury: People who are injured in an accident are more likely to sue. A lawyer can help drivers collect the necessary information to protect themselves and present the facts in official settings.
- Liability Disputes: It is difficult to always know who is at fault after a crash due to the stress and fast-paced nature of the event. Legal professionals can review both parties’ perspectives and interpret the law accordingly.
- Complex Insurance Claims: Insurance is a nightmare and often vague. Agents will look for ways to avoid payment by saying your specific accident isn’t covered. A lawyer will counter those claims and bring you maximum benefits after a crash.
Seeking legal assistance as early as possible ensures you understand your rights and receive fair compensation for your injuries and property damage.