One unfortunate side effect of of American life is spent on the road is car accidents. Lamentably, they are on the rise. 20,160 deaths occurred in the first 6 months of 2021, which is the highest number for that period since 2006.
Fortunately for us, most car accidents are preventable. For this reason, it pays to know what to avoid in order to do our part in lowering those powerful statistics.
Read through our list of the most common car accidents so that you can enjoy being on the open road long into the future.
Drunk Driving
Anything that inhibits your ability to concentrate or make decisions is a recipe for disaster on the road. For this reason, drinking over the limit when you know you have to drive is an extremely unwise decision. At best, you could get pulled over by the police, and at worst, you will need a car accident lawyer to help you handle a serious case.
But, why is alcohol so synonymous with car accidents?
It has the ability to delay your reaction speed, cloud your concentration, and inhibit your decision-making. The consequences of this are particularly sobering with 29 people dying each day due to drunk driving.
Always hand the keys to a sober friend, don’t get into a car with someone who you know is over the limit, and you can always call a taxi.
Fatigue
It is clear that drunk driving is a clear danger accepted by everyone. But, did you know that there is something that at least 60% of drivers have admitted to doing that is responsible for at least 100,000 deaths each year?
Yes, drowsy driving is just as serious as drunk driving and the reasons are because they are linked. Being sleepy leads to the same results on our brains and bodies as drunkenness, with slow reaction times and poor decisions the biggest similarities.
If you are feeling sleepy and are behind the wheel, the advice is clear. Pull over and get some rest. Even a short nap can help you to feel rejuvenated and most importantly avoid car accidents.
Distracted Driving
Anyone who has tried to do two things at once at length soon realizes that giving 100% attention to both is impossible. Yet, when doing something as potentially dangerous as driving anything less than that can lead to unfortunate consequences.
The statistics from the NHTSA are testament to this. They report in 2018 that 2,841 people were killed and a further 400,000 injured due to distracted driving.
So, what are these distractions?
The biggest culprits of car accidents are the use of a cell phone, putting on make-up, and eating.
Dangerous Driving Habits
Our next cause of car accidents that could get you calling a car accident attorney comes down to your style of driving.
While we all appreciate getting from A to B in the most time-efficient way possible, reckless and impatient driving can infringe on the safety of others on the road.
Constantly switching lanes, driving too close to the car in front, or having the habit of trying to beat traffic lights lead to a ticking clock on how soon someone will find themselves involved in an incident.
Likewise, it pays to be vigilant for reckless drivers. If you are involved in an accident with one, have car accident lawyers such as those at sweetlaw.com explain your rights and options to you.
Your Key to Protection From Car Accidents
We hope that our rundown of the most common car accidents made you aware of common causes of accidents, many of which are preventable.
If you liked this article, then be sure to check out the other great informative content on our site!
