Common Reasons Why Auto Accidents Occur
mikal jason
According to a report by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 36,560 people perished in road
accidents in 2018. The report also shows that approximately 2.71 million people
sustained injuries, which needed them to visit a medical center. Accidents,
whether minor or severe, can massively change your life; that is why it is
important to learn common reasons they occur so you can effectively prevent
them.
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1. Drunk and Drugged Driving
A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that drunk driving claims 32 lives every day. Driving while drunk or drugged can lead to visual impairment, which, in turn, can cause an accident. Furthermore, drunk drivers find it hard to spot stop signs early enough as well as see other motorists. They are also unlikely to judge correctly, which further increases the risk of being involved in an accident. Drunk and drugged driving in the U.S. is illegal, and the government has come up with various educational programs to help lessen it.
2. Aggressive and Reckless Driving
Some of the most common aggressive driving behaviors are road rage and reckless driving. Aggressive driving makes drivers act irresponsibly, thereby putting themselves and their passengers at risk. If a driver purposefully decides to drive dangerously and cause an accident that leads to injuries, contact an auto accident attorney Colorado immediately so you can get the compensation you deserve. Slow drivers and traffic can be frustrating, especially if you are running late. But since impatience behind the wheel can cause an accident, it is important to ensure your emotions do not override your judgment.
3. Poor Weather Conditions
Slippery roads due to ice, snow, and rain reduce traction in tires, which can then make it hard for drivers to have full control of their vehicles. Fog, high wind speed, and high water levels are other factors that can lead to an auto accident. If you sustain injuries because of an accident caused by bad weather, you can still get compensation. The driver behind the wheel at the time of the accident will be held responsible since they have a duty to be extra careful when driving in poor weather conditions. Drivers need to know that a road that is safe to travel at 50 mph in summer may be dangerous to travel at 30 mph when it is raining heavily or covered with snow.
4. Failing to Obey Red and Yellow Lights
Yellow lights tend to make intersections very dangerous since they put drivers in a situation where they must decide in a second or less. Ideally, the Association for Psychological Science (APS) shows that yellow lights are some of the most dangerous obstacles people stumble upon while on the road. While this may not be an issue when driving in a state where yellow lights are treated as an equivalent of red lights, it can be a real problem when the laws of the state you are in demand that you slow down and prepare to stop. In most cases, drivers think yellow lights mean “hurry up”, which leads to them making a wrong decision and potentially causing an accident.
Bottom Line
There are lots of new advances in vehicle technology, and they include forward collision systems (FCS), adaptive headlights, and backup cameras, among others. However, these new advances in vehicle technology have only reduced the rate at which accidents occur on American roads – not completely prevented them. If you are involved in an accident and feel the driver was at fault, contact an auto accident attorney in Denver, Colorado to help you get compensation.