Common Causes of Car Accidents

According to statistics collected by the United States Census Bureau, approximately 11 million car accidents were recorded across the country in 2009. As the population continues to grow, so does the expected number of car accidents.

The authorities and departments like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration make efforts to reduce the number of traffic accidents that occur each day. However, the numbers continue to rise as various factors are involved such as human judgment and error. In order to prevent or reduce the number of traffic accidents, particularly automobile accidents, it is important to understand the common causes of accidents.

Driver Error

The first and most important reason for auto accidents is the driving behavior of the driver. Often times, the driver may be driving while distracted. This distraction could be due to the use of a mobile phone, whether calling or messaging, it could be due to lack of sleep, it could be due to driving while fatigued, or it could be due to driving under the influence of alcohol or some other intoxicant. Distracted driving could also be due to friends just partying around or having a good time, driving around with loud music, not paying attention on the road and so on. It could also be due to two people arguing, or a mother turning around to check on her kids in the back seat. All these factors affect the decision making power of the driver.

Medical studies show that the human brain is physiologically incapable of performing two important tasks at the same time. Even if the person is trying to do multiple tasks at the same time, the brain will engage in micro-tasking, that is, it handles only one task at a time. The human brain has the ability to switch back and forth between competing tasks, which we usually consider multi-tasking. So when a driver is distracted by another task, the brain is unable to adequately process all the information, resulting in an accident.

Environmental Factors

Apart from driver error, the second most popular cause of road accidents is environmental factors. The physical conditions of the road, any hindrances causing obstruction on the roadway, presence of trees which blocks the drivers view, improperly maintained roadways, are all hazards which can lead to a road accident. Presence of moisture, rain, ice, or snow on the roads is another cause of accidents as they all cause slippery roads, and can affect driving conditions. The drivers visibility may also be affected by fog, rain, or snow.

Lastly, the mechanical performance of the vehicle also has a role to play when it comes to identifying causes of auto accidents. If the brake system or tires of the vehicle are not properly maintained, it can impede the driver’s ability to stop in case of an emergency or hazard. Keep your vehicle maintained by visiting the mechanic regularly to avoid problems on the roadway.

You also need to get in touch with a qualified personal injury attorney if you have been in a auto accident.