Car accidents are common in the United States, and most of them are brought about by human error. As a result, thousands of lives are taken every year, with thousands more left injured. As a driver, you are responsible for making sure that your chances of being involved in a car crash are minimized. This means following traffic laws and driving in a safe and mindful manner.
However, those measures alone are not enough to prevent car crashes completely. The negligence of other drivers on the road can render your efforts useless. Read on to learn about three common causes of car crashes and what you can do to address them.
Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol
In the US alone, one person dies every 50 minutes due to a drunk driving accident. Even worse, sometimes the ones who perish are not among those who chose to drink and drive in the first place. Alcohol can severely affect how our brain functions, making driving one of the absolute worst decisions you can make after having a couple of drinks.
Choosing to not drink and drive will save you from spending thousands of dollars in auto damages your insurance company may not entirely cover. Above all, you will keep yourself and other people away from danger. It is simply not worth the risk to drive while intoxicated.
Although it is possible to defend yourself with a good lawyer if you are arrested for driving under the influence, that kind of case is often difficult to win. Instead, practice responsible driving by not taking a car with you on days when you plan on drinking. If you must bring your car on a night out with your friends, see to it that your group has a designated driver.
Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2,841 individuals were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2018. Only 1,730 of them were drivers. Distracted driving involves anything that could take your eyes away from the road, including texting, calling, fumbling with the radio, or even using your GPS. Yes, using your phone to look for directions counts as distracted driving.
One short text could cost you your life or the lives of others. The only way to avoid getting into a distracted driving accident is to keep your eyes on the road while driving. If you need to send a quick text message or adjust your GPS, pull over to the side of the road first. The road needs your full attention at all times. If you’re a new driver, we highly recommend driving with the radio off so you can drive with zero distractions.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the biggest causes of car crashes and other auto accidents. We understand that most people want to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. However, that does not excuse anyone from following speed limits and ensuring their own safety. Whether you’re late for your morning meeting or close to missing your flight, speeding is not an option you should ever go for.
Nobody likes encountering an impatient driver on the road. Instead of having to speed your way to work, make a conscious effort to be punctual and leave your house early.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is best to protect yourself by filing a car accident claim. Justice Pays is a personal injury law firm that pursues justice for the injured. Contact our legal team today to learn more about our services.