Common Causes
Speeding, inattentive drivers, poor road conditions and other factors contribute to thousands of automobile accidents in the United States each year.
Accident Injuries
A wide range of injuries, from cuts and bruises, broken bones and internal damage to permanent disability and even death are the result of automobile accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions drivers
may have about what they should do after they have been involved in an automobile
accident.
Automobile Accident Causes
Speeding, Careless Drivers &
Other Common Causes of Auto Accidents
A wide range of factors can contribute to an automobile accident. Careless, inattentive and negligent drivers, poorly designed or maintained roads, and speeding are all leading causes of the more than 2 million automobile accidents that occur each year in the United States. In most cases, the accident could have been prevented if the driver or drivers involved had exercised reasonable caution and better judgment behind the wheel. In other cases, there was little the driver could have done to avoid a wreck.
Negligent Drivers
By far, the most common cause of automobile accidents nationwide is the negligence, or carelessness, of the driver. Drivers who speed, fail to observe traffic signals, or drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs contribute to the vast majority of traffic accidents.The most common types of driver error that cause automobile accidents are:
- Speeding
- Failure to use turn signals
- Failure to yield the right of way to another motorist or pedestrian
- Tailgating or following at an unsafe distance
- Driving too fast – or too slow – for the road or weather conditions
Driving Under the Influence
In 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that drivers under the influence alcohol or drugs were responsible for 41 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States. When a driver operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes a fatal traffic accident, he or she can be criminally charged with murder or another crime as well as being held financially responsible in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Mechanical Failure/Defective Parts
Another factor in many automobile accidents is mechanical failure and defective parts. Brake failures, tire blow outs, defectively designed parts, and other mechanical problems can cause even a safe driver to lose control of their vehicle. In accidents caused by mechanical failure or defective parts, it may be possible to pursue a product liability lawsuit against the maker of defective part or the repair shop charged with maintaining the car.
Unsafe Road or Highway Design
Automobile accidents also may be caused by defective road design or improper maintenance of roads. If a road was defectively designed, built or maintained, the city, county, state or other government agency responsible for the roadway can be held financially liable to people who are injured in accidents caused by the road’s defective condition. Inadequate signage, debris on the road, potholes, improper water drainage and other defects can cause accidents. Private property owners also may also be responsible for properly maintaining the safety of roads on their land.
Contact Our Automobile Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you may have legal rights to recover financial damages from the responsible party. You may be entitled to receive compensation to help you pay for medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering and other damages. Automobile accident victims should contact the law firm of Fitts Zehl, LLP for experienced, aggressive legal representation.
Contact us today for an immediate and confidential review of your case.