Roadway Realities: Understanding How Often Car Accidents Happen – 5 Contributing Causes

Car accidents happen extremely often in the U.S. due to a variety of factors in all 50 states. In fact, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, around 13 car accidents happen somewhere in the U.S every single minute. That all adds up to 6.75 million accidents per year in America! Although fortunately not every car accident is fatal, many result in some sort of damage, injury, and potentially litigation. The vehicle insurance industry estimates that the average motorist will be involved in at least four accidents throughout their life. Moreover, younger or novice drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents compared to those who are more experienced behind the wheel. Read on to learn more about the top causes of car accidents to be aware of so you can stay safe on the road.

Top Reasons Car Accidents Happen

While there are many different reasons auto accidents happen, it’s essential to know how and why it does happen so that you are able to optimize your safety while navigating the road. 

• Distractions, distractions, distractions: A major reason why car accidents occur is that the drivers involved were distracted. Distracted driving includes anything from fiddling with the GPS to texting to talking with passengers. No matter what, it’s essential to never take your eyes off the road and be aware of your surroundings whenever you’re behind the wheel. Distracted driving typically results in fatal crashes due to the fact that drivers think that they are able to multitask while driving rather than keeping their focus on the road. 
• Driving while intoxicated: Fatal accidents are often caused by a totally preventable reason- intoxicated drivers. Unfortunately, every year, drunk driving accidents take thousands of lives, adding to the sad body count of deaths that have resulted from intoxicated drivers. If you’re going to be drinking or taking any other substance that may impair your fine motor skills and ability to drive, you should always plan ahead and take a cab/Uber or have a designated driver so that you don’t get behind the wheel yourself. By getting behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking, you can put yourself, your passengers, and anybody you come into contact with on the road in danger. 
• Driving over the speed limit: Another top reason car accidents happen is fairly obvious- speeding. Even if you’re in a rush, always drive at the posted speed limit and stay safe and in control. Fatal crashes often happen due to speeding since drivers simply have much less time to react to hazards that pop up on the road.
• Road rage: Road rage is another easily preventable common cause of car accidents. It’s essential to always remain calm and in control when you’re behind the wheel. Don’t engage with an aggressive driver, as it can easily escalate into things such as cutting off other drivers, tailgating, and speeding.
• Road conditions and weather: Be aware of road conditions and weather, and make sure to plan your drive accordingly. Potholes, construction works, and other road conditions are also important to keep in mind while driving. 

Contact Us Today

While there are many causes of car accidents, it’s important to be aware of these main reasons when on the road. If you were involved in a recent car accident, call Tapalian Law to learn more about your legal options from a car accident lawyer today.