There probably hasn’t been a more influential invention in the last 150 years than the car. Travel and trade haven’t been the same since, and everyone on the planet has fallen in love with being on the open road to some degree.
But if there is one dark side to cars is the increased chances of getting into an accident. And although statistics have shown a slight decrease over the last few years, car accidents are still far too common.
So what are the main causes of car accidents? And how can you avoid them? Read on to find out.
Most Common Causes of a Car Accident
Driving Under the Influence
Starting with the most obvious, mixing either alcohol or drugs with the open road is a recipe for disaster. The list of things that need more concentration than driving is very small, hence the likely bad results of driving under the influence.
The reason that alcohol is one of the main causes of car accidents lies in its ability to inhibit reaction times and the decisions that you will make. To emphasize just how clear the link is between drunk driving and accidents one of the most harrowing car accident statistics is that there is one alcohol-related death in a car accident every 50 minutes.
Distracted Driving
No matter how good of a multitasker you are, there is one time when it is not a virtue to be able to do more than one thing at a time. Behind the wheel of a car.
Unfortunately, it has almost become normal to see people using cell phones, eating, and more when driving. But the result of being too comfortable while driving could be quite sobering. One report found that 2841 people died in one year, with an additional 400,000 people suffering auto accident injuries due to people being distracted while driving.
That is a number that is far too many. especially considering how preventable they are.
Tiredness
Many people are surprised to find out how serious getting behind the wheel when feeling tired actually is.
But the reality is that driving while fatigued is on a par with driving under the influence if we are talking about the effects it has on the body. In the same way that your speed to react is dulled after a few drinks, your mind is not as agile when you don’t get enough shut-eye.
The result? 100,000 deaths each year are connected to fatigued drivers making it one of the most common causes of car accidents.
No matter where you need to be, if you require some rest, make sure you get enough before getting behind the wheel.
Aggressive and Reckless Driving
Some people do it because they are in a rush to get to one place or another. Others can’t help putting the pedal to the metal even if it is only for a trip to the grocery store.
Regardless of the reason, driving in this style is an easy way to find yourself on the other end of the line to an auto accident lawyer sooner or later.
Speeding alone isn’t one of the only causes of car accidents that can be linked to driving recklessly. Lane switching and even driving too close to the car in front are habits that are aggressive and increase the potential of a car accident.
If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself on the receiving end of an accident it is important to know the next steps. Find out what they are by checking out this sweetlaw.com blog article.
Why Knowing the Top Causes of Car Accidents Is Important
The sad reality is that until each person takes responsibility for their driving, many will suffer the consequences of dangerous driving. However, we hope that learning the main causes of car accidents will go some way to helping others to avoid them.
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