FOLLOW US ON
Motor vehicle accidents frequently occur simply due to the high amount of cars on the road at one time. While a few crashes might be intentional, the vast majority are due to negligent driving. A skilled auto collision attorney could explain the most common causes of car accidents in Cicero, and how the manner of the accident might impact the way that liability is determined.
Intoxicated driving is among the most common causes of car accidents in the area. A person who has consumed too much alcohol will frequently lose coordination and suffer from impaired judgement, which greatly increases the odds of a crash. It is illegal for a person to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08. Even if they blow below a .08, they could still be cited for impaired driving and might be deemed liable for the crash.
Another common cause of traffic accidents is speeding. Nearly every road has a posted speed limit which drivers must adhere to. The faster a driver is going, the greater the likelihood that they lose control of the vehicle or are unable to stop in time due to an obstacle in the road. Speeding is also evidence of negligence, which could make that person legally liable for any injuries or property damage that follows.
Traffic control devices such as a stop sign or traffic light are meant to control the flow of traffic in an orderly manner. Whether someone intentionally runs a traffic control signal, or does so by accident, it greatly increases the odds of striking another car or pedestrian. Pedestrians and bicyclists are frequently hit when a driver is looking to make a right-hand or left-hand turn and their attention is focused on looking for cars in the other direction.
If someone is driving in the wrong direction and causes an accident, then that is a clear-cut example of who the faulty party should be. Signs, traffic lights, and instructions painted on the road are there to guide people into the correct lanes. Drivers must pay attention to yield signs to learn who has the right-of-way. Failure to yield is yet another common cause of local car wrecks.
It is always important to take into consideration the driving conditions. Driving at night poses greater risk of an accident than driving during the day. Headlights can help illuminate the roadway but do not provide complete vision, especially in rural areas with few street lights. Motorists are expected to engage in a certain level of care when driving in unlit areas and could be deemed at-fault if they fail to do so. Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, or thick fog, could also make it more dangerous to drive. People should adjust their speed accordingly if they find themselves in these conditions. In addition, ice may not always be visible on the road, so individuals should give their cars extra space to brake when stopping at an intersection or turning.
There is no shortage of ways in which someone could negligently strike another vehicle on the road. Whether it is through driver error such as failing to obey the signs, or through outside influences such as a snowstorm, the common causes of car accidents in Cicero can all be prepared for. If you were struck and injured in any of these situations, contact a lawyer now to begin the claims process.