Howard County Car Accident Lawyers
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of injuries in the United States, despite the fact that today’s cars are safer than ever. Unfortunately, there are a wide range of factors that cause car accidents, some of which have nothing to do with the safety of the vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vast majority of car accidents are caused by human error. The more we know about some of the common causes of car accidents, the more steps we can take to avoid them.
The following provides an overview of the most common causes of car accidents.
- Distracted driving: Prompted by the pervasiveness of smart phones, distracted driving has become the number one cause of car accidents. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 25 percent of all car accidents involve a driver who was either talking on the phone or texting while driving. Other examples of distracted driving include eating, applying makeup, changing the radio station, and reaching for something in the car.
- Driving while under the influence: This is one of the most dangerous, yet preventable causes of car accidents. Under no circumstances should a driver get behind the wheel of a car after taking drugs or alcohol. Always pick a designated driver if you know you will be drinking, or arrange to spend the night where you are.
- Reckless driving: Driving recklessly puts yourself and others on the road at risk of being in a crash. Examples include tailgating, speeding, swerving in and out of lanes without signaling, and cutting off other drivers.
- Drowsy driving: This can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, especially if the driver falls asleep at the wheel. When a driver is extremely tired, their ability to react quickly is compromised. Most of these accidents occur at night, so if you are having trouble staying awake, pull over if it is safe to do so and try to take a short nap.
- Medical conditions: Conditions that cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks, or extreme fatigue can make driving dangerous. A person with a serious medical condition has a responsibility to consider the risk involved, and to make sure to take the necessary medication, or avoid driving altogether. Failure to take appropriate precautions could constitute negligence on behalf of the driver.
- Mechanical defects: If the vehicle’s brakes, tires, suspension system, or any other part of the car are defective, the risk of a wreck increases significantly. Check for any recalls for your vehicle so that you can have it repaired as soon as possible.
- Faulty traffic lights: When the traffic lights are not working, cars coming from both directions can collide with each other, causing serious injuries.
- Inclement weather: When roads become wet or slippery due to rain, snow, or ice, car accidents are more common as drivers do not always adjust their speed, or know what to do if the car starts to slide. Fog, heavy rain or snow, and bright sun glare can affect visibility. In addition, high winds can send debris into the roads and make it difficult for drivers to maintain control of the vehicle, particularly if they are speeding or driving while distracted.
Howard County Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Obtain Maximum Compensation for Car Accident Victims
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, you are urged to contact the experienced Howard County car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will thoroughly investigate the details of your case to determine whether the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence. Then, we will pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Howard County, Maryland, which includes the cities of Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, Highland, Ilchester, Laurel, and North Laurel.
