The Top 10 Causes of Car Accidents

With summer in full swing, there are more people out on the roadways, and more teen drivers going here and there, enjoying their vacation. Unfortunately, every year more than 37,000 individuals will lose their lives in a car accident, and another two million will suffer injuries—from minor to disabling. More than 1,600 of the annual automobile deaths will be children, under the age of 15, and more than 8,000 of the deaths will be young adults between the ages of 16 and 20. Perhaps you are wondering about what causes these accidents. Following are the top 10 causes of car accidents:

1. Distracted driving is quickly moving up the list, and is now considered the primary cause of auto accidents. The most common distraction is cell phone use, however other causes of distraction include:

• Eating;
• Turning around to see what the children are doing;
• Talking to passengers;
• Looking at something on the side of the road, and
• Changing radio stations, GPS settings or even heater or A/C settings;

2. Driving over the speed limit. Believe it or not, there are drivers out there who routinely drive 20-30 miles above the posted speed limit. When you are driving at excessive speeds, your reaction times are significantly reduced.
3. According to recent studies, exhaustion and fatigue are responsible for at least three percent of all roadway-related fatalities. That number is likely significantly higher, however when a fatal crash occurs there is no one left to ask whether fatigue was a factor.
4. Impaired driving. Driving while under the influence of drugs (even prescription drugs) and/or alcohol can result in a much higher risk of an auto accident. Even having a single drink of alcohol can slow your reactions times and potentially lead to an accident.
5. Reckless or careless driving. Improper lane changes, tailgating, failure to yield or obey other traffic signs, and driving too fast are all causes of auto accidents.
6. Running yellow/red lights. Failure to stop when the light is yellow or red could result in an intersection accident, which typically leave serious injuries to those involved.
7. Inclement weather. For whatever reasons, many drivers simply don’t think they need to slow down when the weather turns nasty. Rain on oil-slicked roads can make stopping very difficult, and snow and high winds can also be responsible for auto accidents. Particularly when it is raining outside, slow down and get where you are going safe and sound.
8. Teen drivers. Unfortunately, teenage drivers have a much higher risk of being involved in an accident. These young drivers lack experience, and are often more careless than drivers who have been driving for a significant length of time. Teens who drive with other teens in the car are also much more likely to have an accident than teens who drive alone, so monitor who your teen rides and drives with.
9. Night driving and impaired vision. Many drivers of all ages have more difficulty seeing at night than during the day, although elderly drivers typically have even more trouble with impaired vision at night. If you have trouble driving at night, do your best to do your driving during the daylight hours. If you must drive at night, make sure you slow down and are extra-careful.
10. Vehicle design defects. If you watch much news, you know that vehicle recalls are all-too-common. Class action lawsuits abound against manufacturers who did not take the extra steps to ensure their vehicle was safe. Perhaps you heard about the defective Firestone tires, GM’s exploding gas tanks, or the defective Takata airbags which were responsible for killing at least six people.

Further Reading: Are Mini Cars More Dangerous Than Larger Cars?

Knowing the top causes of car accidents can help you be a better driver, ensuring you and the drivers around you make it home safely.

Contact Our Northern Colorado Car Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, this includes being harmed by a defective product, like a defective trailer hitch, it is important to understand your legal rights, as well as the long-term complications of your injuries. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed car accident lawyers are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505.

Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience representing injured accident victims in Broomfield, Arvada, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Longmont, and throughout Colorado.