What is the leading cause of fatal car accidents in the US?
Driving a car is a daily task for many people as they look to get to work, school, or complete other typical responsibilities. Most of the time, you can drive a vehicle without incident and get to your destination safely. However, accidents can happen even if you are safe when behind the wheel. In some very serious situations, a car accident could become fatal. There are several causes of fatal car accidents that continue to be dangerous habits that should be avoided by all drivers.
Distracted Driving
The most significant and common cause of fatal car accidents in the United States continues to be distracted driving. When operating a vehicle, someone is driving a heavy machine that could pose danger to anyone in the vicinity. Due to this, it is important that you stay focused and alert at all times. Unfortunately, there are many distractions that can lead to someone losing their focus, which can include looking at their phone, playing with the car radio, or taking a phone call.
Those that are distracted for even a split second could end up making a mistake or losing reaction time that could be used to avoid an accident. Even a short distraction can then result in a fatal accident for anyone in the general vicinity, including pedestrians in the area. Due to this, all drivers should do their best to retain their focus when driving and avoid using their phones as much as possible.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime that comes with significant penalties to those that are caught. Those that are under the influence have a slowed reaction time and have reduced inhibitions, which can make them more aggressive when behind the wheel. Due to this, those that are drunk or on drugs are more likely to cause a serious accident. Each year, more than 10,000 deaths are attributed to people involved in auto accidents in which at least one of the drivers was legally drunk or under the influence of drugs.
Reckless Driving
Even if someone is completely sober when behind the wheel, they could still be aggressive and reckless. Some common examples of reckless driving include excessive speeding, not following stop signs or lights, or making improper turns or lane changes. In any of these situations, a reckless driver will put all other drivers on the road at risk. Not surprisingly, reckless driving continues to be a leading cause of car accident fatalities in the country.
Poor Weather Conditions
One of the largest challenges that someone will have to deal with is trying to drive during inclement weather. Driving during snow, significant rain, or when ice is on the road can be difficult as visibility is reduced, Drivers tend to operate at wildly variable speeds, and road conditions can be poor. All of these situations can result in a much higher risk of auto accidents. Further, reduced visibility and poor conditions can make braking much harder, which can result in accidents happening at higher speeds. This additional collision force drastically increases the likelihood that an accident will result in serious injuries or a fatality.
Mechanical Failure
While many car accident fatalities are related to driver error and negligence, others can be attributed to mechanical challenges with a vehicle. When driving a car, you are going to rely on your braking system, airbags, and other safety features to keep you safe when behind the wheel. Unfortunately, any of these parts can fail if they are not properly taken care and faulty brakes or other features can lead to a serious accident. Due to this, it is very important that any car owner has their vehicle properly maintained and checked out from time to time to ensure all the safety features are working properly. Doing this can help keep you safe when driving and help you avoid being involved in a serious accident.
If someone that you care about has passed away or been seriously injured in a car accident, it is important that you have proper legal representation. The skilled car accident lawyers of Caldwell, Wenzel, and Asthana can provide a variety of legal services to ensure you are properly represented. This can include providing you with a full consultation on your case and handling any negotiations or deliberations needed with the other parties involved including other drivers in the accident, other attorneys, and insurance companies.
