Car accidents occur every day and are caused by a variety of reasons, including bad weather, road hazards, or mechanical car issues. However, according to the National Safety Council, about 94% of motor vehicle accidents happen purely from driver error. This means that nearly all car accidents are preventable.
While the development and implementation of fully automated cars is on the horizon, drivers are still human and can make errors while driving their cars. Here are some of the most common driver errors that lead to car accidents:
Driving While Distracted
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention away from driving. There are so many ways for a driver to be distracted while in their vehicle. Cell phones, entertainment and infotainment systems, fast food, and more can take a driver’s eyes off the road. Drivers talking on cell phones, handheld, or Bluetooth miss recognizing up to 50% of the changing environment around their vehicles, including other cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicycles. Drivers who are texting or reading and responding to emails will recognize changes in the environment even less. Sending a text or reading an email can take your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. When driving at around 55 mph, that would mean keeping your eyes off the road for around 100 yards – or the entire length of a football field. Any non-driving activity engaged in while driving exponentially increases your risk of crashing.
Not Communicating Clearly to Other Drivers
Many drivers fail to use proper signals that are meant to communicate their intentions to other drivers. Using turn signals to indicate the intention to change lanes or make a turn is vital to showing other drivers that you are changing your pattern of driving. Also, making sure that your brake lights, headlights, and turn signal lights are all in working order is essential to driving safely. Without properly working lights, cars behind you and in front of you may not know what your vehicle is doing, and thus cannot prepare for a change you may be about to make. Clear communication through signals and lights can reduce the chance of a car accident.
Violating Traffic Laws
Traffic laws are put in place to keep drivers safe while on the roads. Drivers who do not follow traffic laws are more likely to get into a car accident. One common traffic law violation is speeding. All drivers should obey the speed limit, but many drivers fail to do so. Speeding creates dangerous situations and reduces the amount of time a driver has to react to any changes that occur on the road, including other drivers stopping suddenly, road conditions becoming wet from rain, or the road curving sharply. Another traffic law that drivers commonly violate is not stopping at red lights or stop signs. Paying attention to and adhering to traffic signals and signs helps prevent car accidents from occurring. Drivers who do not stop at stop signs or who run red lights greatly increase their chances of causing a car wreck that serious injures themselves and others on the road.
Weslaco Car Accident Lawyers
Car accidents caused by driver error are scary, confusing, and stressful, but victims don’t have to handle them by themselves. By selecting knowledgeable legal representation, the injured won’t have to worry as much about their next steps. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact the South Texas car accident lawyers at Ezequiel Reyna, Jr. Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following a motor vehicle accident in Texas, so don’t delay.
