Most people don’t think twice about stepping into their car and driving every day, but while most arrive at their destinations without a problem, motor vehicle accidents are incredibly common. In 2024, there were over 16,000 car accidents each day, with many killing or seriously injuring their victims.
No one ever plans on getting into an accident, but there are plenty of common situations that make getting into one a lot more likely. Whether you’ve recently been in an accident or just have a better understanding of why they happen, here are the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents and how a professional car crash lawyer may be able to help you if you’re involved in one.
Distracted Driving
From smartphones and GPS devices to the infotainment systems that come standard in most new cars, nowadays drivers have to deal with more distractions than ever before. All of these distractions can take a driver’s eyes off the road, causing them to make mistakes that could potentially cause life-changing motor vehicle accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
Everyone knows the dangers of driving under the influence, but unfortunately, this isn’t enough to stop a lot of people from doing so anyway. Nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities involve someone who was driving drunk, and that’s not even to mention the many more where drivers were under the influence of other mind-altering drugs. This not only makes driving under the influence one of the leading causes of car accidents, but also by far the leading cause of car accident deaths.
Speeding
Whether you were late to work or just a reckless teenager, every driver out on the road has driven over the speed limit at some point in their life. While this may not initially seem like too big of a deal, speed limits exist to keep both drivers and pedestrians safe on and off the road, and failing to abide by them is another one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents all across the country.
Reckless Driving
Speeding is easily one of the first things that people think of when they hear the term reckless driving, but there are plenty of other reckless driving habits that can cause accidents. From tailgating and overly aggressive lane changes to ignoring traffic rules and road rage incidents, all of these reckless driving situations are incredibly likely to cause motor vehicle accidents.
Ignoring Traffic Signs and Signals
Along the same lines as reckless driving, ignoring traffic lights, stop signs, and other traffic signs and signals is another significant cause of car accidents. Intersections are already quite dangerous because there are so many different drivers driving in different directions, as well as pedestrians trying to cross the street. Throw all of these factors in together, along with someone ignoring the signs and signals meant to keep people safe, and you have a recipe for some of the most deadly accidents that occur on the road.
Fatigued Driving
Most people don’t think twice about getting into their car and driving when they are a bit tired, but that doesn’t make it safe. Sleep deprivation can significantly decrease alertness, and the longer someone goes without getting the rest they need, the more likely they are to fall asleep at the wheel and cause an accident.
Poor Weather Conditions
Weather and its effect on the road are other huge factors that have the potential to cause motor vehicle accidents. Snow, rain, and fog can all significantly reduce visibility, giving drivers less time to react to what’s in front of them. Add ice and standing water into the equation, and you create road conditions that can cause cars to slip and hydroplane regardless of how good the driver is at the wheel.
Sudden Vehicle Breakdowns
While most states have laws that require every vehicle on the road to pass a safety inspection, even drivers who keep up with all the necessary maintenance are prone to sudden breakdowns. Loss of power steering, brake failures, and burst tires can all easily cause a driver to lose control and cause an accident.
How an Experienced Car Crash Lawyer Can Help After an Accident
If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident in Pennsylvania, you have the right to seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial losses you incur. Though while you may be able to file a lawsuit by yourself, navigating the complex legal system after such a traumatic experience can be nearly impossible for most people.
The good news is that you don’t have to take on your case alone. Professional personal injury lawyers specialize in winning cases just like these and can help you with everything from better understanding your rights and filing all the proper paperwork to gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and negotiating with insurance companies.
All of these and more are essential to ensuring that you get the fair and just compensation you deserve, so if you’ve been involved in an accident, you should almost certainly seek legal help as quickly as possible.
Contact HoeyLegal Today
Have you recently been injured in a motor vehicle accident? Are you looking for a West Chester injury lawyer that you can trust to get you the compensation you deserve? Give HoeyLegal a call.
Here at HoeyLegal, we’re proud to be Chester County’s leading personal injury law firm, and we specialize in helping our clients with motor vehicle accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, and many more. We even offer free consultations so that you can get the expert legal advice you need without having to worry about footing the bill.
Motor vehicle accidents can be incredibly traumatic, but you can always count on our expert legal team to be your trusted advocates during such hard times. Contact HoeyLegal and take the first step toward winning your auto accident case today!