Millions of Americans are involved in traffic accidents each year, and many accidents result in injuries and fatalities. For example, in 2021, 46,980 people died in motor vehicle crashes, an 11% increase compared to 2020. In addition, there were 5.4 million medically consulted injuries the same year.

What are the top 5 causes of car accidents? Driver error is the leading contribution to car accident fatalities and crashes. Fortunately, personal injury law allows injured victims to obtain compensation from the at-fault driver. Consider speaking to a trusted St. Louis car accident attorney for legal advice on how to obtain compensation.

Top 5 Causes Of Car Accidents

Distracted Driving

One of the leading causes of car accidents each year is distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from driving. A distracted driving activity takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the road.

Typical forms of distracted driving include texting or calling, eating while driving, adjusting the car stereo, grooming while driving, or operating the vehicle’s GPS. In some states, texting while driving is strictly prohibited and carries hefty fines. The safest approach is to avoid this practice altogether.

Speeding

This behavior involves exceeding a prescribed speed limit or driving at a speed too high for a particular road condition or traffic. Speeding puts drivers, pedestrians, other drivers, and law enforcement agencies at risk.

The consequences of speeding include:

• A high likelihood of losing vehicle control
• A more considerable stopping distance after a driver perceives danger
• An increased likelihood of severe injuries and property damage
• Reduced effectiveness of seat belts and airbags

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”

Gary Burger

Personal Injury Attorney

Drunk Driving

Alcohol is a depressant that inhibits the function of the central nervous system. It can impair the ability to concentrate, respond quickly to road hazards, and reduce reaction time.

Although any level of alcohol can affect your driving, the legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in most states is 0.08%. A person with a BAC above 0.08 is considered legally intoxicated.

Examples of accidents caused by drunk driving include:

• Rear-end accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Roll-over accidents
• One-vehicle accidents
• Jackknife accidents

Reckless Driving

Driving recklessly is operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for a person’s or property’s safety. Reckless driving is also a form of aggressive driving, another leading cause of car accidents.

Examples of reckless driving habits include:

• Excessive speeding
• Abrupt change of lanes
• Tailgating
• Running red lights

Weather Conditions

Poor weather has a significant impact on driving. For instance, rain, snow, or ice make roads slippery, affecting tire traction. Having little or no traction can cause a vehicle to lose control and cause head-on collisions, passenger accidents, or side-impact collisions.

On the other hand, fog drastically reduces your ability to see. The denser the haze, the more likely you will get involved in a collision. In these conditions, it’s crucial to maintain a safe distance between vehicles to reduce the risk of accidents caused by sudden stops or loss of control.

Call Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Today to Maximize Your Settlement

You deserve compensation if you’ve sustained an injury in an auto accident due to someone else’s fault. Working with an attorney enhances your chances of obtaining a sufficient award that covers your injury-related losses.

Burger Law is a team of experienced attorneys with over 70 years of combined litigation experience, and we are ready to help. Contact us online or at [dynamic-phone-number] for a free case evaluation.