Top Three Causes of Car Crashes in the U.S.
Author: Auger Law | June 30th, 2020
Driving is central to life in the United States. Without the ability to quickly get from point A to point B, just about every component of modern life would be vastly different. Unfortunately, the convenience and comfort of driving a vehicle come with the chance of injury or death from a car accident. Over a million people in the U.S. die in car accidents every year, and 20 – 50 million are injured on the top of that. Despite the dangers on the road, many people don’t know the primary causes that lead to accidents in the US.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in North or South Carolina, you’re likely dealing with pain, medical bills, a loss of wages from an inability to work, and immense stress. Recovering from your injuries should be your primary concern. Seeking the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney can help you focus on getting better, while you leave the financial concerns in the hands of the experts. Auger & Auger is here for you in this difficult time. With 26 years of experience, we can provide an experienced car accident lawyer in the Carolinas to help you navigate the complicated path ahead and help you seek the greatest compensation possible for your damages. Call us at 800-559-5741 or contact us online, and we can get your free case review scheduled today.
What are the Top Causes of Car Crashes in the US?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 94% of all crashes are due to the driver, as opposed to the vehicle or other environmental reasons. According to the same survey, the top three causes of car accidents follow:
Driver’s Recognition Error
41% of all driver-caused crashes are due to inattention, distractions inside or outside of the car, and inadequate surveillance.
It might not be too much of a surprise that this type of accident leads the way, with the numerous ways a driver can be caught off guard while operating a vehicle. Driving, especially for long periods of time, can be monotonous and difficult to focus on, leading drivers to regularly lose their attention. Modern devices are also extremely tempting, as cell phone use while driving continues to be a problem all across the country. From fiddling with the radio to getting distracted by other passengers, to losing focus on the road while passing by the hundreds of interesting things in your field of vision, there are countless ways to endanger yourself and others by failing to keep your eyes and mind on the drive.
Driver’s Decision Error
At 33%, decision errors are the second-most common category of a driving accident. Decision errors include driving too fast for conditions and curves, incorrectly maneuvering based on assumptions of other drivers’ actions, illegal vehicle movements, and misjudging the speed of or distance between other vehicles.
Every driver wants to reach their destination as quickly as possible, and sometimes drivers make poor decisions based on a number of factors including impatience, confusion about other drivers’ intentions, or mistaking the position and movement of other vehicles. Speeding, driving too fast during poor conditions, or failing to adequately slow down for curves and turns is the primary decision fault, and these accidents can be particularly bad due to the damages high-speed crashes can result in. Often, crashes are also caused by an assumption about another driver’s movements including lane changes, slowing or stopping, speeding up, and turning. Practicing defensive driving techniques can help decrease the chance of making a decision error.
Driver’s Performance Error
The third-most-common cause of accidents related to the driver — at 11% — is the driver’s failure to perform correctly for the situation. This includes over-compensation when maneuvering, poor directional control, and panicking or freezing up. In these cases, inexperience or a lack of training may be the cause of the accident, so ensuring you are prepared for any situation on the road is a good way to avoid getting caught in a situation where you fail to perform properly and cause an accident.
Carolina Car Accident Attorney for any Cause
Whatever the reasons for your North Carolina or South Carolina car accident, Auger & Auger is here to help you with your case. Proving negligence is one of the biggest parts of helping you find the compensation you deserve, and an experienced legal team will be able to pinpoint the cause of the accident with precision. Even in cases where you may be partially responsible due to one of the above errors, there are often ways to recover damages, particularly if you’ve been seriously injured. Our consultations are free and we’re available 24/7 to take your calls, so reach out to us today at 800-559-5741 or contact us online to schedule your free appointment now.
