What Causes Auto Accidents?
You or someone you love was injured in an auto accident. You are entitled to compensation for your losses. But, before filing an claim, it's crucial to understand why these accidents occur and what can be done to avoid them in the future.
Car accidents are caused by a combination of factors. These include drivers, vehicles and environmental conditions.
1. Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence is illegal in all 50 states. It can cause serious injuries or even death in an auto accident. It's also risky for other passengers and drivers in the car, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists on the road.
Your driving abilities and reaction time may be affected by alcohol in your bloodstream, particularly when you drink lots within a short period of. You're lacking in decision-making and coordination abilities, meaning that you're unable to react quickly enough to traffic conditions or other vehicles on the road.
In addition, drinking can cause memory loss, often referred to as blackouts. This is because your brain doesn’t transfer information from short-term memory into long-term memories, so you could forget important information if something happens while you’re drunk.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) One-third of all traffic fatalities result from drivers with blood alcohol levels (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. While the majority of those killed in alcohol-related crashes are adults, children can be seriously injured or even killed if drivers are impaired.
Younger drivers are at a higher risk of getting the crime of DUI than adults of a certain age because they are often more susceptible to binge drinking. This means drinking too much alcohol over an extended period of time. It is more prevalent in college students and younger professionals who have a habit of attending social gatherings where they are able to easily drink alcohol.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an accident caused by a drunk driver, it is possible to claim compensation for your injuries through the filing of a personal injury claim. A skilled lawyer can help you get the compensation you need. You'll have to prove negligence and that the drunk driver was accountable for your losses. Then, you'll need to show evidence of the drunk driver's intoxication, including eyewitness testimony and accident reconstruction.
2. Speeding
Speeding is among the most frequently observed driver actions which can cause auto accidents. It is also a risky habit that can cause thousands of preventable deaths each year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nearly three-quarters (33 percent) of fatal auto accidents result from speeding. The problem with speeding is that it can be difficult to control your vehicle when you are at the speed you are traveling at which can make you more vulnerable to getting into an accident.
Speeds that are too fast for the conditions could cause other driver errors to be magnified, such as driving too close or when tired. This is why speeding is more prevalent in rural areas where traffic conditions are less conducive for safe driving than in urban areas.
If you're accused of speeding, you can try to convince a judge that you were driving safely considering the conditions on the day. In some states, like Texas there's a system known as "presumed speed limit violations" that allows the court to decide if your speed is reasonable given the circumstances.
However, even in these cases, a judge will need to determine if you were driving faster than other drivers on this particular road. Additionally, your ability to prove that you were in an emergency situation or in a position where you were unable to slow down because of the weather or traffic could also assist in avoiding the ticket.
While speeding isn't something everyone should be doing It happens. Young drivers are at greater risk than older drivers since they are more likely be caught speeding. Luckily, many states have a range of tools to help them catch those drivers who are caught in the act.
3. Distracted driving
Distracted driving happens when a driver's attention is diverted from driving. san diego auto accident attorney could be visual, cognitive, or manual. Texting, reading, texting, eating listening to radio using the navigation system, or dealing with passengers are only some examples.
These distractions can be dangerous because they take the mind of a driver off the road. These distractions can also make it difficult for drivers to react swiftly to avoid an accident or to spot a problem prior to it happening.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Distracted driving is responsible for thousands of car accidents and deaths each year. In reality, tens of thousands of lives could be saved each year if drivers quit engaging in any activities that take their attention away from the road.
Despite the fact that many users continue to use cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, despite laws in states that prohibit them and their use, they are still being used by a large number of. In a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety researchers discovered that drivers who stared at their phones or distracted for more than two minutes increased their chances of being involved in a crash.
While using a cell phone may be the most common source of distraction but other activities like drinking coffee or talking to passengers eating, looking out the window, or checking on a child in the back seat could result in auto accidents as well. Teen drivers are more likely to be distracted while driving.
4. Failure to Yield
If a driver does not yield the right of way, they could cause an accident in the car that results in serious injury or even death. The injured parties in an accident like this could sue to recuperate their losses and expenses.
In New York, the law states that drivers must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching an intersection or stop sign. Drivers must also yield to pedestrians crossing streets outside of a crosswalk.
Failure to yield can result in a collision between two vehicles or an accident involving pedestrians. Pedestrians are often hurt in these accidents because they don't have the same protections that vehicles do.
Based on the speed and the weight of the vehicle Failure to yield to collisions can result in severe physical injuries. This can include broken bones and spinal cord injuries. lacerations and other serious injuries.
According to the National Safety Council, 15% of fatal traffic accidents are the result of failure to yield. This is a significant amount to consider when evaluating safety for driving.
Drivers who do not yield may be charged with a traffic violation which can impact their license, insurance, and employment. An attorney can help you understand your legal options if you are ticketed for failing to yield.
The inability to yield to traffic accident lawyers at Lowney Law, LLC can investigate the circumstances of your accident and file a claim for compensation on your behalf. We will scrutinize all evidence and facts in order to determine who was at fault. Then , we will file a strong case for you.
5. Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions, often referred to by the T-bone and broadside crash are the most risky kind of auto accident. These accidents occur when a vehicle collides with another vehicle from the side. The result can be severe injuries and even fatalities.
These crashes can be caused by many reasons, including distracted driving or a failure to yield. Malfunctioning traffic signals and poor weather that hinders visibility or increases stopping distances can also cause these types of collisions.
Although seatbelts as well as other safety devices have been improved their effectiveness, they do not offer enough protection against side-impact collisions. In addition the space between the occupant and other vehicles in these types of accidents is smaller than in head-on collisions or rear-end collisions which leaves a large opening for injury and even death to occur.
Side-impact car accidents can cause injuries like fractured bones, cuts and bruises. Chest injuries are also common such as rib fractures or internal bleeding.
Side-impact collision victims usually wait too long to get checked or don't seek medical attention. This can lead to long-term consequences such as brain injuries and concussions.
Additionally it is crucial to know that these crashes are particularly dangerous for children and the elderly. They can result in an aortic injury and other problems, and may cause death. It is essential to seek legal help from a skilled attorney for auto accidents immediately following the accident to protect your rights and to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled for your injuries.