An estimated 1.25 million people lose their lives to car accidents every year. While many preemptive steps have been taken to decrease this statistic, including backup cameras and forward collision systems, we cannot place such heavy reliance on the safety features of our cars to protect us from the dangers of the road. With 94% of road accidents still caused by human error, it is crucial to take responsibility for our own actions while driving a vehicle.
Here is a list of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States:
- Distracted Driving
- Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in the United States.
- Common distractions include texting or talking on the phone, eating or drinking, and applying makeup while driving.
- Due to COVID-19, there has been a sudden increase in reckless driving.
- There are not many places to be during a global pandemic, therefore less cars are occupying the roads. While one may assume this would be safer, 2020 has once again surprised us.
- Fatality rates have alarmingly increased since the beginning of the pandemic due to an increase in hazardous driving in the forms of speeding, recklessly switching lanes, and disregard for basic traffic laws.
- Driving Under the Influence
- Drunk driving accidents claim over 10,000 lives every year. In fact, every 50 minutes, one person dies from a drunk driving car accident in the United States.
- With a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, or higher, it is illegal to operate any vehicle.
- As alcohol enters the bloodstream, it reduces brain functions which can lead to impaired thinking and a reduction in muscle coordination. This slows reflexes, as well as impairs vision.
- Distracted Driving
- Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in the United States.
- Common distractions include texting or talking on the phone, eating or drinking, and applying makeup while driving.
- Running Red Lights
- 28% of fatalities at intersections with traffic signals are the result of a driver running a red light.
- It has been recorded that 85% of drivers view running a red light as very dangerous, but one in three drivers say they have run through a red light in the past 30 days.
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness due to lack of sleep can severely impair one’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.
- Young drivers are most likely to use poor judgement regarding their state of fatigue, which leads to a higher percentage of this demographic involved in such accidents.
While it is important to constantly reiterate the severity of these negligent actions in society, it is also important to understand that while you may be properly practicing safe driving techniques yourself, some accidents are unavoidable to even the most experienced drivers. For this reason, it is important to stay vigilant while driving and always stay calm in the event of altercations on the road.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important that you contact an attorney to understand your legal rights. The personal injury attorneys at Zlotolow & Associates can bring more than two decades of experience to your case. We have helped thousands of clients recover through settlements and courtroom verdicts. To schedule a consultation, you can call us toll-free at (886)800-0092, or you can visit our contact page.
