5 Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Back in 2017, San Diego was ranked 5th in the nation for the worst drivers. With over a million cars on the road, many around the same time of day, San Diego’s potential for car accidents is pretty high. A car accident lawyer can help you get justice after being involved in a crash, but here are some of the most common reasons crashes occur in the first place:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of car accidents. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, removing your eyes from the road for only 2 seconds doubles your risk of crashing. This means if you’re changing the song, reading an incoming text, looking at people outside, or even grabbing chapstick from your purse, you’re significantly increasing the likelihood that you’ll get in a car accident.
Even if you’re driving safely, it doesn’t mean everyone else is. With 39% of people admitting to texting while driving, you must always be on the lookout for other drivers. If you or a loved one have been hit by a distracted driver, contact a car accident lawyer immediately.
Drunk Driving
Despite the best efforts of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drunk driving is still a leading cause of car accidents. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 32 people die in drunk driving-related car accidents every day. Alcohol not only blurs your vision and impairs your thinking, it also reduces your reaction time. So even if you’ve only had a little bit to drink, it’s best not to get behind the wheel. Call an Uber or Lyft instead.
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you could be entitled to compensation to cover the damages — property damages, medical bills, loss of income, and emotional distress. An experienced car accident lawyer in San Diego can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
Speeding
Speeding is extremely common, but it can also be extremely dangerous. The National Safety Council (NSC) determined that speeding was a factor in 29% of all fatal car accidents in 2020. Speeding reduces the amount of time a driver has to react to an unexpected situation. It also requires the driver to begin stopping sooner which can lead to dangerous crashes, and it lowers the effectiveness of guardrails, medians, and barriers when it comes to protecting drivers.
It is not always possible to avoid speeders. So if you find yourself in an accident with a driver who was going over the speed limit, be sure to seek legal counsel on how to handle the situation properly. A car accident lawyer can help you determine the best course of action.
Aggressive Driving
About 80% of drivers admit to having road rage or driving aggressively in the past month. When people go under the speed limit or make poor driving decisions, it can be irritating. However, you should do your best to stay calm in such situations because anger-fueled driving can lead to major injuries and even death. Aggressive drivers tend to make dangerous driving decisions as well as increase their speed while doing so. Blind rage can make it more difficult to notice potential issues on the road before it’s too late. It’s always important to drive defensively, but a car accident lawyer can help you get compensation if you’ve been in an accident with an aggressive driver.
Inclement Weather
Sometimes, people aren’t the problem. 21% of car accidents are weather-related. If the roads are wet or icy they can be dangerous for vehicles and cause uncontrollable sliding. In fact, wet roads statistically cause more accidents than snowy roads! Weather can also be a factor in visibility. Harsh rains or fog can create circumstances where it’s difficult to see the road or other drivers, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
What to Do
If you’re injured in any kind of automobile accident, reach out to a car accident lawyer to discuss your case. Make sure you contact the appropriate authorities immediately, document the scene and your injuries, and go to the hospital — even if you think “it’s not that bad.” You won’t know what internal injuries you may have sustained until you’re checked out by a professional. Your car accident attorney will be able to use the evidence you collect to substantiate your claim and help you get the best outcome for your case.
Our team at Hayes Law has years of experience working with car accident victims to secure compensation for their damages. We have a long history of successful cases under our belt, and we don’t shy away from litigation if necessary. Our attorneys even have past experience working on the side of insurance companies, which means they know the ins and outs of the business and all the tricks your insurance will pull to get out of paying you what they should. We won’t let you get the short end of the stick. Contact our team to schedule a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.
