An estimated 6 million car accidents take place in America each year according to recent reports. They cause well over 2 million injuries and are responsible for nearly 40,000 deaths annually. By some accounts, those numbers show an increase of nearly 20 percent just over the last few years. Experts expect the number of accidents and resulting injuries and losses of life to continue on an upward trend in the years to come.
If you’re involved in an accident, getting help from an experienced attorney like those with Howe Law (https://howe.law/) can have a profound impact on the outcome of your case. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to minimize their payouts and even denying injury and property damage claims altogether. Other parties who may be involved also tend to downplay their roles in car accidents and place blame on anyone they can to try to take the responsibility off of themselves. As such, getting the compensation you’re entitled to may be difficult without legal representation.
Exploring Common Causes of Car Accidents
Several factors are contributing to the ongoing uptick in car accidents. Some of them are long-running culprits whereas others have only recently come into play. At the same time, an array of issues may come together to cause an accident, which can make proving who was at fault particularly difficult. Consider the following common causes of vehicle accidents and how they can affect not only accountability but the compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries and losses.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving has long been a factor in car accidents, and that’s not likely to change. More than half of today’s drivers admit to speeding from time to time. Of course, the actual number of people who exceed posted speed limits at times is probably much higher, but not everyone is willing to admit their oversights. Improper lane changes, cutting off other drivers, and many other reckless actions come into play as well. All those factors are responsible for numerous accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
Reports show that more than 13 million people admit to driving under the influence of alcohol each year, and nearly 12 million drive under the influence of drugs. At least 10,000 people lose their lives at the hands of impaired drivers each year. In some cases, those drivers themselves are injured or killed. DUI is responsible for about a third of all traffic-related fatalities.
Distractions
Distractions are also an increasingly prominent cause of car accidents. Passengers alone can be significant distractions. At the same time, drivers are becoming increasingly likely to take their attention off of the road to check their phones. Eating and fumbling around for items in a purse or the console, glove compartment, or floor of a vehicle while driving can easily lead to accidents too. Distractions cause about 30 percent of accidents annually.
Inclement Weather and Road Conditions
Finally, inclement weather and bad road conditions are responsible for many accidents. Fog and wet roads can make for dangerous driving. Snow and ice can make matters even more hazardous. People often forget to slow down, take turns more carefully, and pay especially close attention when driving in inclement weather or in hazardous conditions. That, of course, makes accidents more likely to happen.
Turning to an Attorney for Help After a Car Accident
Those are some of the most common causes of car accidents. In some cases, several of those factors come into play, and victims of car accidents themselves can be deemed partially responsible. That makes proving who is at fault and to what extent particularly tricky. Turning to an attorney for help after an accident can greatly improve your chances of successfully proving who should be held accountable and receiving the compensation you’re entitled to.
