Truly catastrophic accidents like explosions and massive fires grab headlines and understandably so. With that said, automobile accidents have been and remain a major cause of injury and death in the United States. A refresher on the most commonplace causes of car accidents in the U.S.A. is something we are well served undertaking from time to time.
Basic Car Accident Statistics
37,000 people lose their lives each year in U.S. car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Beyond those individuals who tragically lose their lives in automobile accidents, more than 2.3 million people are injured. This includes people who are severely injured and those that are permanently disabled as the result of automobile accidents.
Most Frequent Causes of U.S. Car Accidents
Because of the high number of people injured, disabled, and killed in car accidents, understanding the predominant underlying causes of car accidents is important. The five most frequently occurring causes of automobile accidents in the U.S.A. are:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Drive fatigue
- Exceeding lawful speed limit
- Speed in excess of prevailing conditions
- Failure to yield
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most frequently occurring causes of automobile accidents. The most common types of distracted driving that can and does have disastrous consequences includes:
- Talking on a mobile phone
- Texting
- Talking to passengers
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting an entertainment system
- Using a GPS or map
Impaired Driving
Despite years of publicity focused on the need to driver sober – always – impaired driving remains a major cause of car accidents. Thousands of people are injured in drunk driving accidents each year. Hundreds of people lose their lives because impaired people get behind the wheel of a car and drive.
Fatigued Driving
An alarming number of people admit to getting behind the wheel of a vehicle each year and drive knowing that they are fatigued. This includes a notable number of individuals who admit to dozing off while driving.
Speeding
Another of the commonplace of the common causes of automobile accidents in driving is driving in excess of the posted speed limit. Speeding continues to prove particularly dangerous in construction and school zones. Indeed, some of the most speeding accident injuries are to people in construction or school zones.
Speed in Excess of Prevailing Conditions
On a related note, driving at a speed in excess of what prevailing weather or other conditions permit is yet another prime underlying reason car accidents occur. This type of negligent driving most often represented by people who speed during the rain or snow. It also includes situations in which drivers are motoring at night and are moving at an excessive speed after the sun sets.
Failure to Yield
Finally, a primary cause of car accidents each year is a failure to yield. Time and again, motorists drive through intersections when they lawfully needed to stop. T-bone accidents are among the most horrific of all automobile collisions. These types of car accidents oftentimes result in catastrophic and even fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an automobile accident, The Doan Law Firm is here for you. A nationwide law practice, you can connect with a car accident lawyer from The Doan Law Firm any time of the day or night by calling (800) 349-0000. Our car accident injury lawyer hotline is staffed around the clock 365 days of the year.
We can schedule an initial consultation at any one of our 40 offices located from coast to coast in the country. We can also schedule an initial consultation at your home, at the hospital, or any other location that is convenient for you. We can arrange a virtual consultation for you with an automobile accident lawyer online as well. There is never a fee for an initial consultation with a Doan Law Firm automobile accident lawyer.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee commitment to you. Our firm will never charge an attorney fee unless we win your case for you. The attorneys in our firm are committed to fighting tirelessly on your behalf to obtain justice in your case and the financial compensation you deserve.