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Understanding How Car Accidents Happen
When you get in your car to drive, the last thing on your mind is getting into a car accident. However, any driver can get into a car crash in the blink of an eye. While driving is part of everyday life, and these days, having a car to get you from one place to another is essential for many reasons, there is no way to predict when and how a car accident can happen. Besides driving defensively, understanding the top ways car accidents occur can help you be more proactive in your safety when on the road. Read on to learn more about the top causes of car accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the top causes of car crashes — and may be worse nowadays than ever because of smartphones and other technologies that are far too easy to access while driving. You’ve probably seen other drivers on the road talking on the phone or texting while driving more often than you would care too. While you can’t stop someone else from being distracted, you can stay far away from these drivers when on the road. Other distractions while driving may include:
- Eating or drinking beverages
- Grooming or applying makeup
- Reading
- Changing the radio station
- Tending to children in the backseat
If you must use your phone or do anything else while you are en route, pull over to the side of the road to a safe spot. Once you have finished your task, then you can safely get back on the road.
Driving Under the Influence
Drunk drivers, or drivers who are under the influence of drugs, can cause a severe and potentially deadly car crash. Even people who are on prescribed medications for an illness can be a risk on the road, as many medications can cause drowsiness.
If you have had too much to drink or are impaired for any other reason, do not drive. Get a designated driver or call a rideshare or taxi service. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Speeding
We see it every day on the road — someone is weaving in and out of traffic to get to an open spot to take off so they can get to their destination faster. However, speeding can cause a severe accident — and that could mean never making it to your intended location at all. People speed for many reasons, such as being late for work or an appointment or want to feel the thrill of speeding.
When driving on the road, follow all speed limit rules and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. When a moving vehicle is at high speed, you’ll have less control over it. Slowing it down can help you and other drivers sharing the road stay safe.
Reckless Driving
While speeding can be considered reckless driving, there are other ways people can drive recklessly. Here are some other erratic driving behaviors that you may see on the road:
- Purposely braking sharply to the car behind
- Accelerating abruptly
- Racing another car
- Driving between lanes
- Making illegal U-turns
- Driving too close behind another vehicle (also known as tailgating)
When driving on the road, patience is key. Keeping your cool and staying calm while driving will keep you more alert and help you avoid an accident.
Rain
Even when it rains, we still have things to do. Whether running errands or heading to work, when it’s raining it’s especially important to take extra precautions and drive carefully. Rain can cause the following problems for drivers:
- Reduction in traction
- Increased slipping/sliding
- Reduced visibility
When driving while it’s wet outside, maintain low speeds and keep at least one car’s length away from the vehicle in front of you. Should you have to make a sudden stop, you’ll want to have enough room to stop entirely without hitting the car in front of you.
Sun Glare
It’s not always other drivers that can be a culprit for a car crash. Sun glare can be menacing, as it can limit your vision and be blinding when trying to see traffic signals, stop signs, and other cars.
While you can’t change the hours of sunrise or sundown, you can reduce sun glare by keeping your windshield clean, adjusting your sun visor, and keeping your sunglasses handy.
Obstructed or Missing Road Signs
We rely on road signs to give us proper direction while we are driving. Without signs to direct us, it would be mayhem and a free-for-all on the road. Just think what could happen if stop signs were missing? Obstructed road signs can cause a problem when hidden by trees or other objects.
While a missing or obstructed sign can be unpredictable, driving defensively and cautiously can limit the occurrence of a car accident.
Malfunctioning Traffic Lights
While traffic technology has improved tremendously over the years, there can still be traffic light malfunctions. For example, you may come across a blinking intersection light after a severe storm or a traffic signal that is completely out. When a traffic light is not working at an intersection, proceed with extreme caution. If there is a police officer on the scene assisting with traffic flow, follow his or her directions to avoid being involved in a car crash.
Potholes and Tire Blowouts
Potholes are notorious for destroying tires — and in many cases could lead to a tire blowout. A tire blowout can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a serious accident.
If you hit a pothole and have a tire blowout, get to the side of the road as safely and quickly as possible as to not block traffic.
Get Help from a Corpus Christi Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident claims can be complicated. Our car accident attorneys understand the laws as well as how to deal with insurance companies that don’t always cooperate when it comes to proper settlements. Let us help you recover the money you deserve from your accident.
Contact Bandas Law Firm, P.C. today at (361) 238-2789 to learn how we can assist you.
