What Causes Truck and Car Accidents?

Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia Car Accident Attorneys Can Provide Information

Thousands of car accidents happen daily in the United States, and the accidents have a variety of causes. Knowing the causes of auto accidents is the first step to prevention. The Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC car accident attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. have handled car accident cases stemming from range of causes, and they know that public education is the key to reducing serious injury car accidents and fatal car accidents.

The following are common causes of motor vehicle accidents because of driver errors, most which you can prevent by using caution, care and common sense:

• Failure to obey traffic signs and signals. When someone fails to yield, blows a stop sign or runs a red light, disaster can occur. An errant driver could strike a pedestrian or bicyclist, t-bone a vehicle in cross traffic or even collide head-on with an oncoming vehicle turning left in front of him, causing an accident.
• Intoxication. Using drugs or drinking alcohol before driving a car is a dangerous game, because these substances impair judgment, slow reaction time, decrease coordination and weaken the senses. If someone gets behind the wheel of a two-ton steel machine after indulging in mind-altering substances, she puts herself and everyone else on the road at risk of a serious or fatal car accident.
• Driver inattention. Distracted driving is another main cause of car accidents. Drivers talking on cell phones, reading, texting, scolding their children, doing hair and makeup, eating or drinking are focusing on these tasks instead of their driving. Driver inattention can cause rear-end and head-on collisions, which even at seemingly low speeds can cause severe damage to both vehicles and passengers.
• Driver inexperience. Inexperienced drivers, such as teenagers, often cause car accidents because they may not know all the rules of the road, and because when something goes wrong, they do not always know how to correct the problem or evade the danger. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers, and education and supervision are very important when a person is just learning to drive.
• Aggressive driving. Aggressive driving is not just restricted to the phenomenon of “road rage.” Aggressive driving includes tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic and changing lanes or turning at the last second. Aggressive drivers are unpredictable and frequently cause motor vehicle accidents.
• Speeding. Speeding is difficult to avoid for many drivers, but the higher your rate of speed, the more damage any accident will cause, both to the vehicles and to the passengers.

Unfortunately, some events that you cannot control are catalysts for motor vehicle accidents, such as:

• Bad weather conditions. If you have to drive in inclement weather, stay alert, slow down and learn how to control your vehicle when conditions are not ideal.
• Defective vehicles and vehicle component parts. Car accident litigation has instigated many changes in the way the automotive industry designs, markets and manufactures cars, but defects still occur. Get regular inspections and take your vehicle in for repairs at the first sign of problems.
• Other drivers. Pay attention to the drivers around you and stay clear of aggressive drivers or drivers who are drifting, veering or failing to maintain consistent speeds.

Preventing Auto Accidents

While you cannot control the weather, the auto companies or other drivers, you can take steps on your end to prevent car wrecks. Make sure a mechanic inspects your car annually to ensure that your tires, battery, transmission, windshield wipers and other components are working properly. Keep up with routine maintenance such as tire rotations, oil changes and filter changes. While these steps may seem expensive, the cost to prevent a car crash is far less than the harm a car crash can cause.

The experienced Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC car accident lawyers at the law firm of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. can help you if a car accident has injured you or a family member. Contact them today if you want more information about your rights and about how you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries.