Common Causes Of Car Accidents and How You Can Avoid Them
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), car accidents happen every 60 seconds. This means there are roughly 5.25 million accidents across the nation every year.
In many cases, car accidents can be easily avoided. Most drivers do not realize what signs to look out for when behind the wheel. Below are five of the most frequently occurring car collisions. When you are aware of the cause, it is easier to steer clear of getting involved in a wreck yourself.
Common causes of car accidents:
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Distracted Driving - This type of driving is a category that entails performing any task
while operating a vehicle that can cause you to stop paying attention
to the road in front of you. Distracted driving commonly manifests itself
as texting while driving, fiddling with the radio, eating, or conversing
with another passenger.
To protect yourself from distracted driving, you must remember that your most important task as the driver is to ensure that you are doing everything you can to reach your destination safely. Remove any distractions, and keep conversation topics to things that will not cause heated discussions.
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Speeding - Drivers frequently drive 10-20 miles per hour over the posted speed
limit. However, most people either do not realize or refuse to acknowledge that
the faster you drive, the slower your reaction time is. If you are excessively speeding, the odds are not in your favor for a
collision to be avoided whatsoever.
To lessen the chances of a wreck due to speeding, simply do not speed. Drive the speed limit that is posted for the safety of yourself and the other drivers around you.
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Driving Under the Influence - Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is incredibly dangerous
and can land you into a load of trouble. When you abuse a substance and
decide to drive, your senses and cognitive functions are severely dulled,
compromising your capabilities.
If you decide to drink, make sure you have a designated driver to take you home or call a Lyft, Uber, or taxi. If you see someone on the road that you believe may be drunk, call 911 immediately and report the vehicle.
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Bad Weather - Heavy rainfall explicitly causes an exponential amount of wrecks. Water
makes the roads slick, and it requires drivers to be extra careful and
add more caution to their regular driving habits. Too much faith is commonly
placed in the tires of your vehicle during a storm, and chances are they
will not be sticking to the roadways as they should.
If you are stuck in a rainstorm, either drive with your hazards and go extraordinarily slow or pull over until it is safe to resume driving again. Taking extra precautions and time to get to your destination is a far better option than hydroplaning and wrecking your car.
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Reckless Driving - Weaving through traffic, cutting off other drivers, tailgating, turning
improperly, and running through intersections are various examples of
reckless driving. These behaviors can cause serious ramifications and
should be avoided at all costs.
If you see another driver behaving this way, slow down and provide a lot of extra space between you and them. Protect yourself and others around you and call 911 if their driving poses a serious threat or danger to people on the roads.
Preventing Car Accident Injuries
Millions of people are injured in automobile accidents every year. In the most serious accidents, fatalities can and do occur. In order to avoid losing your life or suffering from serious car accident injuries, it is important that you follow the following tips for staying safe on the road.
Tips For Preventing Accident Injuries:
- Wear a seat belt. Wearing a seat belt at all times could prevent you from getting seriously hurt in an automobile accident. Without a seat belt on, you could be thrown from the vehicle, which in many cases, could end in death.
- Follow the speed limit. If you are speeding, it may be harder for you to slow down when another car comes out of nowhere or slams on the brakes in front of you. People traveling at high speeds tend to incur more serious injuries than those who obey posted speed limits.
- Don’t drive under the influence. Not only is drinking and driving against the law, but it is one of the leading causes of car accidents. You and the people in the other vehicle could suffer serious car accident injuries or be killed if your driving is impaired.
- Be aware of other drivers. In many cases, a car accident may not be your fault. It is important to drive defensively so that you can stop your vehicle or change directions if another person is driving unsafely.
If you want to prevent car accident injuries, it is important that you always follow the laws and rules of the road. Make sure that you are taking precautions, as well as watching for other negligent drivers.
