Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Factors That Cause or Contribute to Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents happen frequently. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on average, there are about 16,822 car crashes every day in the United States, based on data from 2023. Most drivers will likely be involved in an accident at some time in their lives. While most accidents are minor, some are more serious and may result in severe injuries or fatalities. There are various factors that cause or contribute to vehicle accidents.
Main Causes of Vehicle Crashes
There are many reasons why accidents happen. Often, there may be more than one factor that leads to a crash. Most factors fit into one of four major categories.
Human Error
Human error is likely the most common cause of vehicle accidents. Drivers make mistakes that often result in accidents. Human factors include such things as speeding, failure to obey signals or signs, distracted driving, and driving while impaired, among many others. Distracted driving is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or your focus off driving. Distracted driving is on the rise, partly due to texting while driving.
Mechanical Failure
Mechanical issues with a vehicle can cause it to malfunction. Sometimes the problem can result in an accident. Problems with brake operation are an issue that is somewhat common in truck accidents. Other mechanical failures are things such as broken headlights, tail lights, or turn signals, and tire blowouts. When a mechanical failure occurs, it may be due to maintenance negligence or for some other reason.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors are any issues that occur outside of the vehicle. Some of the most common types of environmental factors are road conditions and weather issues such as snow, ice, or rain. Even the sun can cause glare that can reduce visibility for a driver. While outside factors are not under the direct control, a driver may still be negligent if they knew about the conditions and did not act appropriately. For example, if the road is icy, a driver must slow down to a safe speed.
Systemic Inadequacies
Sometimes other factors may contribute to accidents on the road. The improper loading of a truck, for example, can cause the cargo to shift during transport, making the vehicle difficult to control. Poor training or inexperience can lead to issues on the road. New drivers may not have the experience necessary to handle basic issues when they occur, and this can cause an accident.
Contributing Factors and Negligence in Vehicle Accidents
In many accidents, there is more than one cause. Sometimes there is a main cause along with some contributing factors. It is important to identify the cause of the accident in order to ascribe a portion of negligence. In North Carolina, you may only get compensation for damages in an accident when the other driver is 100% negligent. It is helpful to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident to learn your options and how to best proceed.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to talk to our legal team about your case.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, are dedicated to maximizing financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car, and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life and that the effects often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, are dedicated to helping clients determine their claims’ strength and aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws-issues/distracted-driving
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