No one has ever enjoyed getting into a car accident.
No matter what has caused the accident or why it has happened, motor vehicle accidents can be stressful, overwhelming, and painful experiences.
Whether minor or severe, a car wreck can completely change the accident victim’s life.
They often result in property damage, physical injuries, a loss of wages, and even permanent disabilities.
Not all car accidents are avoidable, but knowing what does cause car accidents can help you reduce your chances of being involved in one.
Some causes of car accidents are more common than others, and we will go over a few of the most common ones our car accident doctors deal with in the article below.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is, without a doubt, the number one cause of car accidents across the country.
A distracted driver is anyone who doesn’t have their full attention on the road ahead of them.
They might be texting on their cell phone, doing their make-up, or simply changing the radio station.
Teen drivers tend to be more easily distracted.
No matter what they are doing, their reaction times are significantly slower when their full attention isn’t on the road, making them more susceptible to being involved in an accident.
Your only job when you are behind the wheel is to get where you are going safely.
Everything else can wait until you arrive at your destination.
Drunk Driving
Driving while you’re drunk or under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and should always be avoided.
Intoxicated driving accidents are significant and 100% avoidable by simply not drinking and driving.
And even though it may not be the number one cause of car accidents, drunk driving is the most deadly.
No one should ever get behind the wheel of a car if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Driving under the influence is reckless driving in its purest form and should never be done.
Speeding
Speeding and aggressive driving go hand in hand, and they are both major causes of traffic accidents, probably because they are so prevalent.
Studies show that a full two-thirds of vehicles traveling on highways, city streets, country roads, and everywhere in between drive above the speed limit.
For some driver’s it’s just a bad habit. For others, they are running late for work, and others drive aggressively due to heightened emotions.
And some do it for the thrill.
Unfortunately, speeding and speed-related crashes put others’ lives at risk as well.
Speeding and aggressive driving vastly increase the chance of road accidents because the driver in a speeding vehicle has less time to react to road hazards or traffic control devices.
A speeding vehicle will need more distance to come to a complete stop.
Speeding also makes your vehicle more susceptible to losing control in adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, or ice.
Always do your best to drive under the posted speed limit.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving leads to many needless car accidents.
Reckless drivers who speed, perform unsafe lane changes, or tailgate often end up in unnecessary motor vehicle crashes.
Reckless drivers are often impatient in traffic, so if you notice a reckless driver, pay extra attention and be sure to take extra care around them.
Inclement Weather
Rain, snow, and ice make driving much more dangerous.
Dangerous road conditions like icy roads greatly increase your odds of being in a car accident.
Water, snow, and ice create slick roadways and cause cars to slip and slide without warning.
If you can avoid it, don’t drive in nasty weather.
If you get caught in a storm, be sure to drive extra carefully.
Even if you are confident in your ability to drive in bad weather, it’s never worth the risk.
Driver Fatigue
Drowsy driving is a major cause of accidents for adult drivers and teenage drivers, and it likely goes under-reported as a cause of crashes.
Driver inattention due to fatigue is a prominent cause of wrecks, but it is often classified in police reports as a separate and distinct contributing factor from driver fatigue.
The first thing you can do to avoid drowsy driving is to get enough sleep.
It would be best if you also tried to avoid driving at the end of a long day and schedule long road trips to begin soon after waking up to prevent drowsiness from taking over mid-trip.
