Every single year, there are millions of individuals who lose their lives in car collisions. More often than not, these collisions are 100 percent preventable. With that being said, the first step in preventing these crashes and lowering the number of fatalities is for everyone to be more aware of some of the most common causes of these auto accident-related deaths. Keep reading to learn about three of the most common causes of car crashes in America.
Speeding and/or Reckless Driving
Auto accidents are often a result of speeding or another type of reckless driving. If a driver fails to follow the posted speed limit to keep pace with nearby vehicles, he or she is putting him or herself as well as other drivers on the road at risk. Other examples of reckless behavior include tailgating, illegal passing, not wearing a seatbelt, running a traffic light, and disobeying posted road signs.
Drunk Driving
Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is responsible for almost 30 accident-related deaths each day, which equates to one fatality every 50 minutes throughout the day. When these substances are consumed, a driver's response time is significantly reduced. In addition, a driver's ability to properly focus and navigate his or her vehicle on the road is also reduced. If you consume alcohol or feel the least bit impaired, it is imperative that you do not get behind the wheel; instead, call a taxi, call an Uber, or have a sober friend give you a ride home.
Distracted Driving
When it comes to distracted driving, there is a wide assortment of behaviors that can cause a person to take their attention off of the road in front of them. One of the most common and dangerous is texting and driving. With the prevalence of smartphones, the capability of instant messaging and the desire to update one's life on social media constantly pose a threat to everyone's safety while on the road. Of course, there are other forms of distracted driving such as eating or drinking, adjusting temperature or radio controls, talking on the phone, and even daydreaming that can lead to fatal injury.
If someone you love has recently been fatally injured as a result of someone else's negligence—possibly due to one of the aforementioned reasons—you should consult with a local wrongful death attorney and explore all legal avenues that are available to you.
Share