Table of Contents
The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car crashes are a leading cause of death across the country, and every year thousands of people are injured or killed in car accidents due to distracted driving, DUIs, recklessness, and speeding. Car accidents can happen in an instant, and the causes are often preventable. Understanding the causes of car accidents can make you a more aware driver and help you determine what happened in your own accident. The attorneys at Feller & Wendt, LLC™ can help you establish the cause of your accident, identify fault, and secure compensation for your injuries.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents today and contributed to 15,960 fatalities from 2018 to 2022. Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts your attention away from the task of driving, from eating to putting on makeup. Some of these actions, like texting while driving, can combine different types of distractions, but taking your focus away from the road even for a moment can risk losing control of the vehicle.
The types of distractions are:
- Visual: Taking your eyes off the road to look at your phone or GPS.
- Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel to eat, drink, or send a text.
- Cognitive: Taking your mind or focus off driving, due to fatigue, daydreaming, or talking to passengers.
Distracted driving laws restrict cell phone use while operating a vehicle in Arizona, Idaho, and Utah, especially texting and handheld use. Violating handsfree laws can lead to fines and other penalties, especially for repeat offenses or if a crash occurs. You should always keep your phone on silent and put it away when you drive, and stay focused on the road.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding decreases reaction time to hazards or sudden changes in traffic and increases the risk of losing control of your vehicle. Speeding is a leading cause of accidents and can lead to a collision when drivers are traveling too fast to react to other cars ahead, misjudge gaps or other drivers’ speeds, or take turns too quickly.
Reckless or aggressive driving leads to accidents when drivers follow too closely, fail to yield, suddenly change lanes, or ignore traffic signals. Drivers should be aware of others on the road, maintain a safe distance between their vehicle and the car ahead, and obey the speed limit.
Driving Under The Influence
Alcohol, substances like prescription medications, or marijuana impact a driver’s ability by impairing motor function and decision-making skills. Driving under the influence impairs a driver’s reaction time, vision, coordination, focus, and judgment.
In Utah, for example, drivers who can legally drink cannot have a blood alcohol content (BAC) level exceeding 0.05 percent, while the limits in Arizona and Idaho are 0.08 percent.
Drivers under the influence are likely to face substantial fines, potential license suspension, possible jail time, misdemeanor or felony charges, and mandatory alcohol education programs. Courts may also require some drivers to install an ignition interlock device, which prevents the car from starting unless the driver has blown into a breathalyzer. Lower limits may apply to commercial drivers and in these cases a driver can still be charged if impaired even below the per se BAC limit.
Weather and Road Conditions
Weather conditions also contribute to accidents. Rain and snow can make roads wet and slippery, reducing visibility, especially at night. Wet roads and ice can cause drivers to lose control, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. In weather-related crashes, the most common factors were fog, rain, or snow that made roads slippery or limited visibility.
Road conditions may also play a part in causing a crash. Improperly maintained roads, potholes, crumbling shoulders, or missing guardrails can raise the risk of losing control, a tire blowout, or driving off the road.
It’s nearly impossible to completely avoid driving through snow in Idaho and Utah. When driving in poor weather or on bad roads, stay alert, take your time, and turn on your lights. Increase your following distance, and try to avoid sudden stopping.
Vehicle and Mechanical Failures
Drivers can quickly lose control if they experience sudden vehicle issues or mechanical failures, like their vehicle stalling or a tire being punctured by debris on the road. Common mechanical problems that cause accidents include:
- Brakes: Worn brake pads, leaking brake fluid, or anti-lock braking system (ABS) problems can reduce stopping power and increase the risk of a crash.
- Tires: Worn tires reduce traction and increase stopping distance, and a blowout can cause the driver to lose control.
- Lights: Broken headlights or taillights make it harder for you to see and for other drivers to see you, especially at night.
- Steering: Stiff or unresponsive steering, or difficulty turning, makes it harder to control the vehicle and avoid hazards.
While these issues can be unavoidable at times, regular vehicle maintenance can help prevent them from happening. When you notice a problem, whether that’s a warning light or a strange noise, get your vehicle to a mechanic for a check.
Other Common Accident Causes
Many different factors can play a role in a crash, and along with the common causes of a car accident, other causes include:
- Driving while tired
- Collisions with pedestrians or cyclists
- Animals or hazards in the roadway
- Construction work
- Poor signage
- Inexperienced or young drivers
- Poor road design
Feller & Wendt, LLC™Attorneys Can Help After A Car Accident
Car accidents kill more than 100 people every day, according to the CDC, and can cause serious, life-altering injuries. These injuries from a car accident can result in medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage, leaving victims to face significant expenses and bills.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, an attorney can help you secure fair compensation for your losses. With a 99 percent success rate, the team at Feller & Wendt, LLC™ has the knowledge and experience to achieve a successful outcome.
Partnering with a lawyer after a car accident gives you an advocate to investigate your accident, collect evidence, build a strong case, and manage all communications with insurance companies. Your attorney will identify liable parties and help you prove your claims.
Feller & Wendt, LLC™ provides free consultations and guarantees you won’t owe any fees unless we win your case. Let us help level the playing field with insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.
What You Can Do To Prevent Car Accidents
Many common causes of car accidents are preventable, and it’s up to drivers to take the necessary steps to keep the roads safe. Always stay alert on the road, and drive safely. Behind the wheel, keep your distance, stay free of distractions, and never drive under the influence.
The car accident attorneys at Feller & Wendt, LLC™, are committed to providing personalized legal representation to injury victims, protecting our clients’ rights at every stage of the legal process, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your accident. With over 70 years of combined legal experience, our team has the expertise, resources, and network to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Injured in a car accident? Contact Feller & Wendt, LLC™ today for a free consultation or call (801) 499-5060.
