Auto production companies, including the Indiana Department of Transportation, have taken various measures to reduce motor vehicle accidents. However, despite all their efforts in offering road safety education, the number of auto crashes is still high, exposing many road users to injuries or even death. If you have been in an auto crash, it would help to understand the cause of your accident, which is vital when filing a personal injury claim. Typically, car accidents are caused by driver errors, such as distracted driving and fatigue, and those linked to external factors like weather conditions.
Here are the most common reasons car accidents happen.
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Distracted Driving
Lawyer Steve Fleschner of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin says, “Distracted driving is a huge cause of car accidents.” Most of the time, it is because drivers stop focusing on the road. Things like texting, chatting on the phone, grabbing a bite, messing with the radio, or fiddling with car buttons and screens are usual culprits. Nowadays, smartphones have exacerbated this issue. Texting while you drive is super risky as it forces you to look away from the road and let go of the steering wheel. While hands-free gadgets have significantly reduced the physical risks associated with distracted driving, they cannot entirely eliminate the distractions that can impair driving performance. They can still distract you from driving by soaking up your attention and reducing your awareness of what is happening around you.
Weather Conditions
Bad weather, such as fog, rain, snow, and ice, can cause nasty driving conditions. They mess with your ability to see and turn the roads into slippery slides. When it is like this, you have to be extra careful, slow your roll, and leave more room between you and the car in front to stay safe. Sometimes, the weather pulls a fast one on you, catching drivers off guard. Suddenly, it spikes your chances of bashing up your ride or losing control. Plus, harsh weather might hide road signs and traffic lights from view, making getting around way trickier than usual.
Drunk Driving
According to the NHTSA, about 40 percent of car crashes are because someone decided to drive drunk. Driving under the influence is seriously dangerous because alcohol messes with essential driving skills like how quickly you can react, your coordination, and your ability to make good decisions. Even with strict laws and lots of efforts to educate people about the dangers, there are still folks who get behind the wheel after drinking, which puts everyone at risk, not just themselves. The fallout from drunk driving can be massive: we’re talking injuries or, worse, legal issues up the wazoo, plus a heap of emotional and financial stress for everyone involved.
Driver Fatigue
Driving while tired might as well be the same as driving drunk. Fatigue hits drivers hard, especially those who have been on the road for hours, are not getting enough sleep, or are in really monotonous driving conditions. Accidents from being too tired usually happen late at night or early in the morning when your body wants to sleep. If a driver starts yawning all the time or cannot keep their eyes open, they are not just risking their life—they could hurt someone else pretty severely, too.
How to Handle Car Accidents Caused by the Fault of Other Parties
If you find yourself in a car crash because of someone else’s fault, you might have a solid shot at filing a personal injury claim. This claim can hold the other party accountable and help you get compensation. But here is the thing: personal injury claims dance to the rhythm of state laws, which you need to get if you want a good shot at winning. Bringing an Indiana car accident attorney into your corner helps big time. An attorney is like your backstage crew. They help you gather evidence, dive deep into accident investigations, wrestle through negotiations, deal with paperwork overload, and navigate all those courtroom hoops.
Conclusion
Understanding the significant causes of car accidents is vital to filing a personal injury claim. Generally, many auto crashes occur due to drunk driving, fatigue, distracted driving, weather conditions, and poor roads. Consulting an experienced Indiana personal injury lawyer can help you establish an apparent reason for your accident, strengthening your case.
