Road traffic accidents are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, and hundreds of thousands of victims occur annually. Knowing what causes them, how they can be prevented, and who you can turn to for legal assistance whenever there is something as simple as a slight collision or a major multiple-car accident is vital for drivers.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
There are many possible causes for a car accident, which means that in many cases, the accident was caused by negligence. Here are the primary causes:
Distracted Driving:
There are so many instances where drivers have been reported and witnessed eating meals, sending text messages, or even adjusting the radio system while driving the car. According to NHTSA, it was established that distracted driving led to 3,142 deaths and 400,000 cases of bodily injury in the United States.
Speeding:
Regular speeding does not only enhance the chances of a crash but the probability that such a crash will be fatal. High speed kills chances that drivers have to respond to dangers and thus causes accidents.
Driving Under the Influence:
Drinking under the influence of alcohol, taking drugs, or some medication reduces one’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities contributed to about 28% of overall traffic-related deaths in the United States.
Weather Conditions:
Rain, snow and/or fog are some of the weather factors that hamper free and safe traffic flow since roads become slippery, and intra and/orinter visibility is low. Most of these factors are unchangeable. However, drivers can learn to change with conditions or alter their behaviour to reduce risk.
Reckless Driving:
Some of the dangerous behaviors on roads include frequent overtaking, following other vehicles very closely, sudden changes in our lanes and breaking any traffic rules like the traffic light. Such behaviors are driven by such elements as the inability to respect traffic signs and signals or being uninterested in the safety of other road users.
Vehicle Defects:
Defective auto spare parts or vehicle assembly flaws result in traffic mishaps. Problems such as brake failure, non-deploying airbags, or a blow-out means the steering wheel is out of one’s hands or they wind up in an accident with other vehicles or objects.
How to Prevent Car Accidents
Avoiding car accidents is a practice that depends on knowledge, compliance with the principles of traffic rules, and precautions. Here are practical tips for staying safe on the road:
Stay Focused:
Other specific things that should not be done include sending messages, eating, or fiddling with the radio when driving. Be sure to concentrate on the street and the possibility of an accident’s occurrence.
Obey Speed Limits:
Comply with the posted speed limits and driving speeds appropriate with weather and types of roads across areas. This means that there will be more time to avoid getting trapped in the foxy situation that is most likely to meet a human being.
Avoid Driving Under the Influence:
It is wrong to drive after taking alcohol or drugs since they will hinder one from driving safely. If you intend to drink the beverages, then ensure that you have a sober driver or use a cab or bus.
Adapt to Weather Conditions:
Weather can also change with time and, therefore, should be anticipated while driving; this will help avoid the extreme response to changes in weather conditions. Move to the passenger’s side of the car, pay more attention to signs that alert you of lane changes, slow down, and obtain a considerable following distance.
Maintain Your Vehicle:
Always service your vehicle so that it is working properly to avoid causing an accident. Regularly control air pressure in tires, replace worn-out brake pads and troubleshoot other problems to lower the probability of an accident due to a mechanical malfunction.
Practice Defensive Driving:
Exercise caution in relation to other motorists and other accessories on the road. As with most things in life, you should always leave a safe distance behind any vehicle ahead of you and always expect anything to happen.
What to Do After a Car Accident
This is especially important if you are a driver and you find yourself as a participant in a car accident. Follow these steps to protect yourself and your legal rights:
Check for Injuries:
Check yourself and any other persons in the accident for signs of injury. Anyone who feels that they are hurt in any way should dial the emergency services no matter the extent of their pain.
Move to Safety:
Of course, if it is safe and possible to do so, the driver should pull the vehicle out of traffic to a safer zone. Activate your warning lights and lay down your triangles or reflective triangles in order to warn other motorists.
Call the Police:
Inform the police whenever an accident has occurred, regardless of its seriousness. The police report can be very important in the following way: A crash report provides information on the who, what, where, when and why of an accident that can be invaluable in settling an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.
Exchange Information:
Obtain permission to take photographs, license numbers, and insurance cards from all other drivers involved in the accident. Of course, if there are any witnesses, make sure to write down their details and get their phone numbers.
Document the Scene:
Photograph the accident site, which involves the extent of damage to the vehicles, the roads, or anywhere else that may have been affected. Despite the capacity, the use of writing could begin soon after an incident has occurred, and in situations where the details are still vivid, one should write them down.
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Make sure you inform your insurance company of the accident as soon as you possibly can. They will advise you on what to do next and assist you in the filing of the claim.
Seek Legal Advice:
If you have been in a car accident or if caused by someone’s negligence, you must consult a knowledgeable Detroit car accident lawyer. They can guide you through the legal procedures so that you can secure the claim to which you are entitled.
Some Legal Rights That You Should Know
Even if a person is involved in a car accident, the situation can be rather stressful, but if the person knows his or her rights, it would be easier. Here’s what you need to know:
Filing a Claim:
If you have tripped on some negligently placed obstacle and have suffered an injury to the body, you may qualify to file for compensation. These may include the cost of treatment, lost cash earnings, and other incidental losses such as pain and suffering.
Pursuing Compensation:
If you consider filing a tort claim, you will have to demonstrate that the other party was to blame for the accident and that they are to blame for your injuries. This may come in form of police documentation, medical history, and statements from the witnesses.
Statute of Limitations:
Every state has its own laws concerning the time within which someone can file a personal injury case, which is known as the statute of limitations. If you fail to file your claim by this time, then you may be locked out from receiving compensation for your injuries.
When to Contact a Lawyer
It is always advisable to seek the services of a lawyer as it can be complicated. Here are situations where legal assistance is recommended:
Serious Injuries:
In this case, your injuries have disoriented you or affected your life in a significant manner, and therefore, you should seek the services of an attorney to get the highest compensation for your losses.
Disputed Liability:
As mentioned earlier, if the other party denies his/her negligence in the accident a lawyer will assist you in the collection of evidence as well as argue his/her negligence at court.
Insurance Issues:
Even if you have a valid case, especially if it involves insurance companies, they will try to diminish or even reject your case. An experienced lawyer is essential for dealing with insurance claims and ensuring that a client receives adequate compensation.
Conclusion
Getting into a car accident can be quite traumatic, as it has both a physical and an emotional toll. Knowing the general causes of accidents, utilizing precautions, and getting legal assistance can help if you become a victim of a car accident, as well as having the legal expertise to defend if any occurs.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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