Even though roughly 6 million of them happen each year in the United States alone, we seldom learn much. But, even if the statistic isnt quite as pithy as it sounds, there are still factors that show were more prone to make risky decisions in a comfortable environment. Avoid car accidents by using your head lights -- and never your high beams -- when driving in the fog. Why Do Car Accidents Usually Happen | Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney Learn the most common causes of car accidents and what you can do to keep yourself safe on the road. We seek to bring accurate, reliable, engaging, and diverse content to all American citizens and the rest of the world. Snow's dangerous mixture of ice and water is a dangerous recipe for car accidents each winter storm. Many drivers are excessively impatient and aggressive. Slate is published by The Slate Everyone has been angry at another driver for one reason or another, but some drivers let their rage overcome them. Founded by top personal injury and accident attorney Maryam Parman, Avrek Law Firm combines more than 50 years of personal injury experience. Sadly, the trend for drunk driving continues to increase. Unfortunately, teenagers aren't often known for their carefulness. According to the NHTSA, more than half of auto accidents that cause serious injury or death occur within 25 miles of home. Some of the causes are more common than others, but they all have the potential to cause serious injuries to others. An ambulance closing its doors. Dont you think you should do everything in your power to maximize your settlement? When teen drivers hit the roads they dont always know what to do and that lack of experience ends up causing car accidents. All Rights Reserved. We now estimate that about 7 percent of all car crashes, and 21 percent of fatal crashes, happen to drowsy drivers. As simple as it sounds, hitting the car in front of us accounts for between 23 percent and 30 percent of all crashes. Top Causes of Car Accidents: The 25 Leading Causes of Road Accidents Of the 374 close-to-home pedestrian accidents observed in the study, 110 (over 29%) were fatal. Most of the car accidents caused by drowsy driving occur at night. Leading causes include: Reckless Driving Collisions can happen more often when a driver is speeding. Reasons Why Car Accidents Happen - Tampa Personal Injury Attorneys Drunk driving occurs when a driver intakes too much alcohol that impedes their average ability to operate a vehicle properly. But even still, the risk to pedestrians means that drivers and walkers alike should exercise caution near the home. Rural areas often have numerous deadly curves where drivers must make tight and focused turns. Drowsy driving happens more often than you realize. The wheels or cars suspension may be damaged or improperly assembled, leading to a car accident. Unless the two different categories close to home vs. far away are accounted for on a miles-driven basis, then its not as revealing of a factoid as it claims to be on paper. Were there any signs or warnings that an animal crossing area was present? In rural cities, animals will take their time crossing the road regularly. Delete some of them from your situation or get out of the car. While some of these car accident causes may seem obvious and redundant to experienced drivers, this list aims to educate all levels of drivers, from the teenage driver who just got his license, to the senior driver with 40 years experience behind the wheel. When youre driving your car, red means stop and not doing so usually leads to car accidents. As you can see, there are numerous reasons why car accidents happen in the United States. According to one study, approximately 77 percent of collisions that involved injury to at least one person occurred within ten miles of that person's residence. Anyone that disobeys this rule blatantly places other drivers in danger. Car Accident Statistics For 2023 - Forbes Advisor Potholes can inflict serious damage on any car. Theres no doubt that this firm has an incredible team and integrity beyond reproach. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of fatal car accidents in the United States. Aggressive maneuvering and taking a sharp curve too fast account for about 5 percent of all crashes. Its true, technically, but just barely: Science says we save 26 seconds per day as a result of our hurrying. Its way harder than it looks. When this happens, driving becomes more difficult. I want to know what happened because theres an obvious payoff. Each year, thousands of car accidents occur because one driver ran a stop sign. You can also reduce your risk of accidents by practicing defensive driving, obeying road signs, and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. Getting over without the necessary space can lead to a rear-end or sideswipe accident. Does Not Want You to Know About Your Car Accident Claim. They are definitely a great resource for anyone needing help with a car accident claim or other personal injury case. Ive rolled up the fruits of these efforts to provide a closer look at what the evidence tells us are six of the most common crash scenarios. They specialize in personal injury and car accident law, so if you are injured and it was not your fault give them a call. Secondly, always wear your seatbelt and require your passengers to do the same. In addition, cars can get stuck in the snow and suddenly stop in the middle of the road. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Drivers who engage in this dangerous practice put others at risk, just like drivers who run red lights. Moreover, speeding increases the risk of a rear-end collision. You turn your head back to the right and suddenly, out of nowhere, theres a pedestrian or a bicyclist. Due to the presence of no streetlights, the driver would most likely have never seen the pedestrian. Percent of Car Accidents Close to Home | Hutzler Law, PLLC Speeding If you ask yourself 'why do most car accidents happen,' speeding is probably one of the first reasons to come to mind. More about wrong-way driving car accidents. At the same time, a high record number of fatal crashes occurred. Naturalistic driving studies are now equipping cars with accelerometers, sonar, sensors that track driver inputs, and lots of video cameras. More about how icy roads cause car accidents. Or did someone commit a minor transgression and then pay a major price? Contact a car accident attorney today to discuss your options for filing a claim and pursuing fair compensation for your injuries and medical bills. If a car hits the pool of water at high speed, it can spin out of control and slide into oncoming traffic. To understand this shocking trend, its necessary to examine the root causes of car accidents alongside data from previous years. Since we have yet to invent the handheld snooze-a-lyzer device for the police to carry, weve historically had to guess how often drivers fall asleep at the wheel. Accidents involving drunk driving are usually very serious because the intoxicated driver might not make any attempt to correct themselves and avoid the collision. Potholes are common across the country, and they often get worse as the weather changes. Why do Car Accidents Happen? 3 Causes | Morris Bart, LLC Rural Traffic Accidents: Do auto accidents happen in rural or urban areas? In a way, saying most accidents happen within a few miles of home is like saying most blisters happen while youre wearing shoes that you own or, your pet is most likely to get fur on your own clothes.. Read More Posted on: April 15, 2019. If anyone is injured, call emergency services immediately. Why do Car Accidents Happen? Depending on the size and location of the pothole, crashes can occur. A distracted driver is a motorist that diverts his or her attention from the road, usually to talk on a cell phone, send a text message or eat food. Following too closely to another car wont give a driver enough time to adjust if traffic stops abruptly. Unlike ice, snow can pile in height. When you drink, you lose the ability to focus and function properly and its very dangerous when operating a vehicle. A typical car accident known as drunk driving is responsible for more than 29 deaths per day. Whatever the case may be, improper turns can result in serious auto accidents. Should this occur, know that there are resources available to help navigate the situation and get everyone involved back on their feet as soon as possible. Many types of drugs also have effects that decrease driving abilities, and this can include legally possessed prescription drugs. Aggressive Driving Of all of the car accidents in Pennsylvania in 2018 for which "driver error" was identified as a contributing factor, aggressive driving behaviors constituted the most common. 2023 Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC | All Rights Reserved, drugs also have effects that decrease driving abilities, Passenger Dies After Crash with Truck Carrying CO2, Duluth News High School Golf Team Member Killed in a Car Accident, UGA Football Player Jalen Carter Accepts Charges and Probation After Reckless Driving Accident, Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC is a 2022 Best of Gwinnett Winner. I usually feel badfor those who may have gotten hurt (or worse), of course, but also because my rubbernecking contributes to the logjam of cars behind me. A cars brakes may not engage on time. Main Causes of Car Accidents Some of the most important car crash statistics relate to collision causes. Car accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence on our roads, but the good news is that many of them can be prevented with the right approach. In fact, many researchers liken the effects of fatigue on a driver to drunk driving. Auger & Auger can provide you with an experienced car accident lawyer in the Carolinas. For example, traffic cones and construction signs can impede the flow of normal traffic and catch distracted drivers off guard, resulting in a distracted driver going the wrong way and causing harm to other motorists. Other office locations listed on our website are satellite offices that are not staffed daily. Why Do Car Accidents Happen - Quick Answer Some vehicle accidents are out of the Why Do Car Accidents Happen? Although car accidents can occur in any locale, statistics point to a higher rate of collisions in certain areas. You can prevent these car accidents by giving the car in front of you a one-car-length buffer for every 10 mph you drive. 1 Cause 1: Driver Errors & Car Accident Racer and test driver Andy Pilgrim told me that we have surprisingly little technical mastery of our own vehicles. Why Do Most Car Accidents Happen? - Top Rated Phoenix Personal Injury Even if you have a long regular commute, the fact is that you are far more likely to be driving close to your home than you are far away. Your attorney can help you calculate your damages, pursue a strong case, and fight any attempt to reduce or deny your claim. When it comes to driving, safety should always be a top priority. All meetings at our satellite offices must be made by appointment only. Each case was handled on its own merit, and the outcome of any case cannot be predicted by a lawyer or law firms past results. A traffic light can also malfunction and result in an auto accident. They are prompt and also very good at responding to emails and phone calls. By taking these steps and being vigilant while on the road, you can help keep yourself and others safe and prevent car accidents. In fact speeding is involved in about one-third of all fatal car accidents. Traveling on damaged roadways does not leave drivers much room to avoid cracks and dips that can damage their tires. Why do car accidents happen across the country? Driving near home can feel like sliding into a pair of well-worn slippers, but dont confuse the comfort of familiar floorboards with the sight of something familiar past your dashboard. Nov 21, 201711:04 AM Firefighters help clean up the scene of a fatal accident that killed seven people when the SUV they were riding in crashed off an I-25 overpass and burst into flames early. In many cases, you may receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Such an instance can lead to a significant car accident in which multiple drivers and pedestrians can suffer injuries or even pass away. They may not even work at all with proper maintenance. American News Report is the most reliable source of American and international news. Tire blowouts can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, and they are especially dangerous for bigger automobiles like semi-trucks. There are various types of car accidents, including rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes, head-on collisions, and single-vehicle accidents. Driving at night is generally safe, but only under a few conditions. Wild animals will wade out into the street, and it's up to you to make sure that you don't get into a car accident with them. The rolling right turn on red overwhelms our attentional capabilities. Thank you so much, I definitely will recommend you and your law firm to my friends and family that may need help with a car accident or other personal injury problem. Taking the time to do so can often greatly improve the outcome of your case. If you see a pothole in your car's path, you can avoid a car accident by making sure that your tires do not drive over it. Unfortunately, tailgating is very common. Car accidents can occur for multiple reasons. Can I Still Sue After a Settlement for Personal Injury. To prevent a needless car accident, use your turn signal, check your blind spots and always proceed carefully into the next lane. Over the last several years, January and February generally experienced the fewest motor-vehicle fatalities, while July, August, or October experienced the most. You get dressed quickly, eat your favorite breakfast, and head to work whistling. More on how tailgating is a top cause of accidents. Cars arent designed to travel on ice as they are in the rain. Leading causes include: Serious accidents resulting in life-changing injuries or death are not a rare or uncommon occurrence. When this happens, a driver can lose control of their vehicle. Finally, speeding can be a major factor in car accidents, as it reduces a drivers reaction time and makes it more difficult to control the vehicle. If youve suffered a personal injury in San Francisco, for example, you can find an attorney to represent your case in the Bay Area. What could possibly go wrong? In contrast, older drivers may become laxer during their daily commute. When you go the wrong way, everyone is in danger because as you head towards a car accident. For this reason, all drivers need to maintain a safe distance from other motorists. Lastly, single-vehicle accidents occur when a car crashes into a stationary object or swerves off the road. More on how night driving is a top cause of accidents. As a result, drivers need to stay watchful while traveling on unlit streets. From the first time I called them they were all about helping me. You dont know when a driver plans to turn, so if the driver stops abruptly on the road or suddenly gets over with little room to spare, they may cause a collision with your car. Eventually, the effects of these stimulants will wear off and cause the body to completely shut down and fall asleep. Drivers run the risk of losing control of their car or blowing out a tire when they drive over these potholes. Road traffic injuries More on car accidents caused by tire blowouts. Why Car Accidents Happen: Understanding The Causes And Prevention We cover diverse stories that matter to you. If you don't drive carefully, and you may end up in a needless car accident.