Whether driving to work, school, or somewhere else, you have to be aware of the risks that come with the road. The top 5 most common causes of vehicle collisions involve drivers being distracted, speeding, changing lanes, and ignoring traffic signs.
These types of accidents can result in severe injuries and even death. When they do, the injured victims can file a claim against the at-fault driver for damages.
Distracted Driving
The most common cause of a collision is distracted driving, which encompasses many behaviors, and takes the driver’s attention away from the road. It includes both traditional distractions like texting and talking on the phone, as well as newer technologies.
The CDC defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts a person’s attention away from driving safely.” It’s an important topic and one that should be addressed.
Cell phones are a hazardous distraction for teen drivers. According to statistics, teens are four times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash when texting and talking on their cell phones than adults.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of vehicle collisions, and drivers must understand the dangers of excessive speeds. Not only does it cause accidents, but it also increases the risk of injury and property damage.
When speeding, a driver’s ability to control their vehicle is reduced. This can lead to severe and fatal injuries.
Another reason speeding is a leading cause of accidents is that it puts nearby pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
Additionally, speeding often leads to crashes with large vehicles, like trucks. Those vehicles usually weigh 20 times more than passenger cars, so the combination of speeding and heavy mass is hazardous.
Lane Changes
If you’ve ever been in a vehicle collision, chances are you’ve run into at least one driver who made a lane change without looking for oncoming traffic. These incidents are often quite dangerous, especially on highways or roadways that have high speeds.
Most lane changes involve a driver changing lanes to pass another vehicle. However, a smaller proportion of lane changes result from a car approaching from behind in the adjacent lane.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are one of the most severe types of car accidents. These crashes can result in devastating injuries, including paralysis, severe brain trauma, and broken bones.
Fortunately, the law allows victims of such accidents to recover damages from the driver who caused the crash. Victims can also file a wrongful death claim in these cases.
Head-on collisions are caused by various factors, from distracted driving to speeding. Other causes include drowsy driving, failing to yield, and intoxication.
T-Bone Collisions
T-bone collisions are among the most common, with 50 percent of all fatal car crashes involving a broadside impact. These impacts can cause severe injuries for occupants on the side of the vehicle that is struck, such as broken bones, internal damage, and back, neck, and spine injuries.
T-bone accidents are often caused by someone running a red light or stop sign, which causes other drivers to run into them from the side. These intersections typically have unique cameras that record vehicles that run red lights and stop signs, making it easier to prove liability for the accident.
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