Baxley Maniscalco Attorneys At Law
Ten Leading Causes of Car Accidents in the United States
The leading cause of car accidents in the United States is distracted driving. Distracted driving can mean talking or texting on your cellphone, but it can also include driving while eating, drinking, applying makeup, or reading.
Texting and driving causes about 13% of all distracted driving accidents that result in fatalities. In all, texting and driving causes about 30,000 car crashes, resulting in injuries per year.
Commercial motor vehicle drivers are prohibited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from texting while driving in interstate commerce, but this does not prevent the numerous deaths caused by this practice each year.
2. Intoxicated Driving
Ranking second on the list of leading causes of car accidents is driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
Although drunk driving isn't the number one cause of all car accidents in the United States, it is by far the most deadly cause of crashes.
I Was In A Wreck That Wasn't My Fault. What Now?
What should I do first after being in a collision? Do I need to report to insurance? How quickly do I have to let them know? What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? What is UIM coverage and does it apply to my wreck? We answer these and many other questions our clients frequently have about the process after an auto crash with another driver.
3. Speeding
Driving faster than the speed limit is the third leading cause of car accidents in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speed-related crashes cause 31% of motorcycle fatalities, 18% of car driver fatalities, 14% of light truck driver fatalities, and 7% of large truck driver fatalities.
Overall, speeding causes more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in the United States each year (NHTSA, 2018). Speeding was a factor in 31% of teen deaths behind the wheel. Speeding is the third leading cause of car accidents in the U.S.
According to one study, drivers speed at least 10 mph over the speed limit more than half of the time. Even this 10 MPH speed increase raises the risk of a crash by nearly ten percent (Fortune).
4. Reckless Driving
Reckless driving includes excessive speeding, aggressive driving, and frequent and abrupt lane changes. Road rage can be a significant factor contributing to reckless driving. Over 50% of the more than five million car crashes per year in the United States are caused by aggressive driving. (TeenSafe, 2018). Young drivers and male drivers were found to be significantly more likely to engage in aggressive driving behaviors, according to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
About half of the drivers who are on the receiving end of road rage behaviors such as honking the horn, making rude gestures, or tailgating, admitted to responding in kind with similar aggressive behaviors. (SafeMotorist.com).
Approximately 2% of all drivers on the roadway admit to trying to run someone off the road at least once in their lives. Other aggressive behaviors frequently admitted to by drivers include blocking others from changing lanes, deliberately cutting off other vehicles, and even bumping or ramming other vehicles intentionally.
Steps to take immediately after being in a car crash with another driver:
Get medically checked out.
Follow up with your primary doctor.
Document everything.
Take photos of the scene and your injuries.
Notify your insurance company.
Get follow-up treatment for lingering medical issues.
5. Rain
Driving in the rain is, unfortunately, incredibly dangerous. Whenever possible, it's best to avoid driving in the rain, as it is the fifth leading cause of car accidents in the U.S. Rain can reduce visibility and make it more difficult to stop in time, due to slippery pavement. Drivers need to add extra car lengths between vehicles to avoid rear-ending the car in front of them.
Approximately 22%, or 1.3 million car crashes per year are caused by inclement weather (FHWA).
6. Ignoring Traffic Signals
Failing to stop at a stop sign or running a red light is the sixth most frequent cause of car accidents in the U.S. Many drivers fail to follow traffic signals because their full attention is not on the road.
Drivers have reported thinking about work or household concerns when they ignored a traffic signal.
7. Driving at Night
Like driving in the rain, driving at night is often unavoidable, but it's also a leading cause of car collisions in the U.S. Driving at night is attended by limited visibility and requires good headlights to avoid obstructions when traveling on backroads without adequate lighting.
8. Vehicle Defects
Defective vehicles rank number eight on the list of leading causes of car accidents in the U.S. It's extremely important to watch for recalls on your vehicle, as a recall indicates a known safety issue with the vehicle that requires immediate repair. It's also essential to have regular maintenance on your vehicle so that an auto mechanic can catch any safety issues on your vehicle before they cause a collision.
9. Tailgating
It should come as no surprise that following too closely behind the car in front of you is a leading cause of car collisions in the U.S. When you are struck from behind by a vehicle that is following too closely, this is referred to as a rear-end collision.
Tailgating is a contributing factor in over one-third of all car crashes, or approximately two million crashes per year (Driving Tests).
10. Improper Turns & Driving the Wrong Way
Driving mistakes like entering a one-way road and going the wrong direction frequently happen when a driver is in an unfamiliar location traveling on roads for the first time. Attempting to make a turn at the last minute after nearly missing the exit or trying to turn from the wrong lane are frequent causes of car crashes.
How Many Car Accidents Per Year Cause Permanent Injuries?
Around two million drivers are permanently injured every year as a result of a car accident. (Driver Knowledge, 2019).
Who Is at the Highest Risk of Being in a Car Crash?
According to the CDC, Drivers are at the highest risk of a car crash during the first year after obtaining their license to drive.
What Is the Most Common Type of Car Accident in the United States?
Each year rear-end crashes are the most frequently occurring type of collision in the U.S., making up approximately 29% of all crashes (NHTSA).
Don't Become Another Statistic
Distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding - these are just a few of the leading causes of accidents, and even the most careful driver can be caught off guard. If you're injured in a wreck that wasn't your fault, don't navigate the legal system alone.
Get a FREE consultation with a Baxley Maniscalco personal injury lawyer today.
Our experienced team will fight for the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing. We're available 24/7 by text, email, video call, or in person - whatever works best for you.
Don't wait. Take control of your situation. Schedule your free consultation now.