The Most Frequent Causes of Car Accidents

Every year, millions of people are involved in car accidents. Although no one plans on becoming involved in an auto accident, there are several factors that have been noted to be the leading causes of car accidents. By increasing your awareness of these factors, you may be a safer, more alert driver and could possibly avoid being involved in a car accident. Some of the most frequent causes of car accidents include: distractions, intoxication, aggressive or reckless driving, and speeding. Almost all drivers have been distracted at some time or another; whether it is eating, talking on the cell phone, or slowing down to take a look at an accident while driving by. According to the American Automobile Association, somewhere between 25 and 50 percent of all car accidents are due to driver distractions. Additionally, “rubbernecking,” or slowing down to gawk at another accident, is a leading cause of distraction-related car accidents. Drunk driving has unfortunately become a common cause of car accidents. The NHTSA reported that 32 percent of all car accidents in 2007 were alcohol-related; that’s over 11,000 alcohol-related accidents. Unfortunately, many of the victims of these crashes are completely sober. Over the last 10 years, laws on drunk driving have become more strict nationwide, as the problem has increased. Aggressive or reckless driving is another frequent cause of car accidents. Such driving behavior is identified by the following characteristics: tailgating, displaying rude gestures to other drivers, using foul verbal language towards other drivers, and ignoring traffic signals. Unfortunately, this type of behavior is displayed among all types of people. Speeding is another leading cause of car accidents. It is one of the most dangerous causes of accidents because the odds of someone being injured go up significantly with the speed of the vehicles involved. Also, driving at high speeds decreases the time that a driver has to react to hazards on the road. For more information on your legal rights on car accidents as well as wrongful death, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, product liability and defective product litigation, slip and fall accidents, it is important to speak with our personal injury attorneys in Brooklyn, New York.