As a top Arlington TX personal injury lawyer would explain, the following are five common causes of car accidents.
- Drunk Driving – According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. When a person drinks, his reaction rate slows down. A drunk driver’s ability to focus, and decision-making ability also diminishes. Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous activities a person could get involved in. Always have a designated driver instead of drinking and driving.
- Distracted Driving – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines distracted driving as “driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving.” This includes texting while driving, use of cell phone while driving, listening to the radio, eating while driving, applying makeup while driving, etcetera. CDC also provides that, in United States, over 8 people each day are killed and about 1,161 people are injured in crashes due to distracted driving. Even using a cellphone while waiting at a red light could cause distraction because it will prompt a person to check their phone and follow up on text messages while a person is driving.
- Speeding – There are several types of speeding. Some drivers speed knowingly and drastically over the speed limit, while others travel at a speed that is inappropriate under the weather conditions. According to Texas Department of Transportation 2015 statistics, nearly 1,106 crashes in Tarrant County were related to Speeding. About double the amount, 2,271 crashes in Dallas County were related to Speeding. In total 29,434 crashes in the state of Texas were related to speeding. The best way to avoid speeding is checking the weather before getting on the road, planning ahead, and leaving on time.
- Bad Weather conditions – Water, ice, or snow on the road creates slick and dangerous conditions for vehicles to travel on. Rain, ice, and snow cause vehicles to lose control and skid, especially while braking. This is why it is importation to drive slowly in bad weather conditions. One major piece of advice to driving in rain, snow, and ice weather is to turning on the fog lights.
- Unsafe Lane Change – Drivers on daily basis make lane changes. While many look, others just move over. With millions of drivers on the road each day, it is important to inform the other drivers of your intention to change lanes. An accident caused due to unsafe lane change is an avoidable accident. To prevent an unnecessary accident, check for any cars in the blind spots, and use your turn signal before you move into the next lane.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC for their insight into auto accident case.
