If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident, you know there’s nothing quite like it. Everything seems to go into slow motion. Time stops.
Your mind suddenly becomes filled with thoughts of the potential consequences of what’s about to happen.
You could become paralyzed with dread. Rage. Anxiety. Fear.
Most of us spend most of our time driving around on the roads of our cities and towns. Sadly, these days, car accidents aren’t all that uncommon. How often do accidents happen, and what are the most common causes?
We’re glad you’re here to find out with us. Let’s jump into things and learn the most common causes of car accidents.
Distracted Driving
Some common causes of distracted driving are texting while driving, talking on the cell phone, eating while driving, and changing the radio station.
These activities divert the driver’s eyes, hands, and mind away from the task of driving, which can lead to traffic violations, crashes, and fatalities. Motorists must understand the dangers of distracted driving and try to stay focused on the road and the task at hand.
Weather Conditions
Heavy rain can make driving hazardous, reducing visibility and making roads slippery. Foggy weather can reduce visibility significantly and make it difficult to see potential obstacles. Snow and icy roads can make it difficult for cars to gain traction and stop on time.
High winds can cause vehicles to veer off course, causes of car accidents. Sun glare can also reduce visibility and force drivers to slow down despite the safe speed limit.
Alcohol Use and Driving
Studies have shown that alcohol use affects reflexes, coordination, balance, and vision. These deficits make it difficult for drivers to react promptly when faced with potential danger.
Alcohol also reduces decision-making abilities and judgment, leading drivers to take unnecessary risks. Drunk drivers react more slowly to changes in traffic, ignore road regulations, and have difficulty steering and braking.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is one of the main causes of auto accidents, often causing major harm to people and property. This type of driving typically involves over-speeding, making sudden lane shifts, tailgating, ignoring traffic signs, not keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, running red lights, attempting dangerous overtaking maneuvers, and not yielding to pedestrians.
These dangerous behaviors put reckless drivers and other drivers on the roads at risk. Reckless drivers can also cause fatal collisions when they make dangerous turns, try to overtake others at high speeds, or hit pedestrians at intersections.
These can lead to serious car accident injuries. In most cases, this may result in other parties filing lawsuits, so check these tips for hiring an attorney.
Read More About the Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents are preventable if the necessary precautions are taken. Drivers should pay close attention to external conditions, anticipate the behavior of other drivers, be aware of the limitations of their vehicles, and not be affected by distractions.
Be alert, avoid these causes of car accidents, and be safe on the roads! Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our blog for more!