What Is the No. 1 Cause of Car Accidents?
Car accidents can be sudden and traumatic, as they bring about unexpected losses and damages. There are several common causes of car accidents, including speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, driving under the influence, fatigue, and many more. But what most people want to know is — what is the No. 1 cause of car accidents?
Distracted driving is the most prevalent cause of car accidents across the United States. It results in more accidents yearly compared to other significant accident causes.
Distracted Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving injures over 430,000 persons and causes almost 3,200 people annually. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now suggests that one out of every four accidents are caused by distracted driving.
These figures are shocking, but they do not reflect the entire story. Because of various factors, it is difficult to estimate how many collisions result from distracted driving. Police officers might be unable to recognize distracted driving as the trigger of a collision. At times, they might fail to notice collision-causing distractions in a way that researchers can quantify.
Furthermore, some distracted drivers perish in these collisions, leaving no explanation as to what occurred. Even if distracted drivers are lucky not to die in an accident, they rarely admit that they were the cause of the collision. This is because of fear of facing civil litigation or criminal charges.
Dangers of Distracted Driving
When driving, there are three primary forms of distractions:
- Visual, which entails taking your eyes away from the lane.
- Manual, which requires you to remove your hands from the steering wheel.
- Cognitive, which entails diverting the attention away from the task at hand.
Some examples of destructive behaviors include talking over the phone, switching car controls, smoking, texting, personal grooming, speaking with other passengers, reading maps, and eating.
Any of these main types of distractions are risky and can lead to a serious car accident. When you focus on something else instead of the road or the vehicles near you, you are putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger.
Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
Being involved in a car accident with a distracted driver can change your life forever in ways many drivers never imagine. The expenses will quickly add up, and you may end up needing to proceed to court to recover the damages you are entitled to. As a result, you will need the expertise of an auto accident attorney.
Nevertheless, trying to handle a court case considering that you are trying to recover from your injuries would be the last thing you want. Thus, many persons in your situation would seek the advice of a knowledgeable Car Accident Attorney. Typically, a car accident lawyer will help you recover almost five times more than if you tried to do it independently.
Whether you seek compensation or just want legal advice on what to do, Karnas Law Firm is there for you. Get started by calling at 520) 214-8343 or (928) 723-0088 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.