Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
In the U.S., more than 90 people die in car accidents every single day. Car crashes are becoming more and more of a problem in the world today, especially since they are such a huge cause of fatalities. It’s important to identify the causes and make sure you’re safe on the road to avoid the worst happening.
Speeding
One of the main causes of fatal car crashes is speeding. Speeding is something we can all be guilty of, whether we’re a little late for work, stuck behind someone slow, or maybe we justify to ourselves that a couple of miles over the speed limit isn’t too bad. It’s easy to do, but it can be a huge risk for you and your family. Not only does it make it harder to see any obstacles, but it makes it harder for you to stop, even if the reason you need to stop isn’t your fault.
When you speed, you are at risk of injuring or killing yourself, and you may even end up hitting another vehicle and injuring or killing other people, too. If you do get into a crash where you’ve been injured, it’s important to get a lawyer. The law will differ across different states, so you need to do your research and find a local firm that can assist you. [For instance, in California you have two years from the date of your accident/discovery of injuries to file a claim. One of the most renowned firms in the state is Arash Law – Injury Lawyers. They don’t charge a fee unless they win, and will give you the compensation you need to make a recovery and get back on track with your life.]
Driving under the influence
Drinking under the influence is also a big reason for such a high amount of fatal car accidents. It can be tempting to have “just one drink,” but one drink can quickly become many, and before you know it, you’re over the limit. (It may surprise you just how low the limit is – make sure to check in your state.) After drinking, a mix of believing you’re not too drunk to drive and the boost of confidence that alcohol gives can put you in a dangerous situation on the road, and once you’re driving, your reactions are delayed and it’s much more difficult to see any dangers.
It’s essential to ensure you have a designated driver, and that they aren’t at risk of having a drink. If you’re unsure that you can trust anyone you’re going with, be the designated driver yourself and stick to the soda. If you really don’t want to make it through the night sober, just set some money aside for a taxi — for you and your friends’ safety.
Distracted driving
With the advance of technology, it seems that people are more and more addicted to their phones, including while driving. In fact, one in every three people admit to using their phone while driving, and this has proved to be incredibly dangerous. Those who use phones while driving are 23 times more likely to crash than those without.
To put the danger of phones in perspective, sending a text while driving takes 5 seconds; at 55mph, this is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blind. Although it’s tempting to check social media quickly or text your boss that you’re running late, you should always pull over first. Never use your phone while driving, for the safety of you and everyone else on the road around you, and if you can, try to persuade friends and family to do the same.
These are just three of the common causes of fatal car accidents – there are many more out there, so make sure you’re up to date with all of the rules and regulations you should follow to keep safe.
This is a collaborative article.
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.