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No matter how common car accidents are, if you or a loved one have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions – frustration, anger, pain, devastation, humiliation, and more. With medical treatments to manage, along with the hassle of dealing with insurance and finding a new car, you might feel overwhelmed. And once the immediate issues from the car accident are sorted, that overwhelmed feeling can persist as you evaluate the medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress caused by the car accident. Thankfully, Georgia law allows you to recover compensation for your losses in a car accident and to hold the person or people at fault accountable for their actions. With an experienced Georgia car accident attorney by your side, you can get the justice you deserve.
Car accidents are unfortunately common and rank as the leading cause of death and injury in the United States. Generally speaking, car accidents can be attributed to two broad categories of causes: driver error and causes unrelated to human error. Those unrelated causes include weather, road conditions, vehicle defects, and the like. The great majority of car accidents, however, can be attributed to driver error. The following are the most common causes of car accidents due to driver error. While you can never reduce your risk of a car accident to zero, being aware of these factors may make it easier to spot potential car accident risks before they happen.
Driving While Impaired
While drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs is illegal, an unfortunate truth is that it still happens all too frequently. Alcohol or drugs impair a driver’s physical and mental capabilities, greatly reducing focus, reaction time, and awareness. These substances also promote bad judgment while on the road. If you see a driver who you suspect is impaired, you should contact authorities immediately once it is safe to do so.
Speeding, Driving Recklessly, and Driving Aggressively
Being a safe driver goes beyond following basic traffic laws. Drivers must make their decisions with care and avoid aggression while operating a motor vehicle. Speeding can be incredibly dangerous, and could turn what would have been a minor car accident into something tragic, even fatal. This is because exceeding the posted speed limit makes coming to a complete stop, avoiding pedestrians, and making turns far more difficult. Similarly, driving recklessly and taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel is a leading cause of car accidents. Aggressive driving, such as weaving through traffic and tailgating can also greatly contribute to car accidents and their severity. Speeding, reckless driving, and aggressive driving can all cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident.
Distracted Driving
As the nationwide campaign against texting and driving indicates, distracted drivers can be a leading cause of car accidents. Distracted driving goes beyond texting and cell phone usage, however, to eating, grooming one’s self in the mirror, operating the radio, using the infotainment system (even for something as innocuous as getting directions), and beyond. A driver taking their eyes off the road even for mere seconds can greatly increase their risk to themselves and those around them. Passengers should take all necessary precautions to limit the distraction they pose to drivers.
Young or New Drivers
Driving, like any skill, improves with experience and time. As new drivers are exposed to new conditions and have further practice, they better learn how to safely navigate new situations behind the wheel. Drivers who haven’t had much experience or practice may not be able to recognize dangerous situations and navigate them appropriately, making young and new drivers a greater threat for car accidents.
Driving While Tired
Driving while fatigued can greatly increase your risk of getting into a car accident, injuring yourself and others in the process. Even if a driver isn’t falling asleep behind the wheel, a drowsy driver has diminished focus, slower reflexes, a decreased reaction time. The exhaustion also makes tired drivers less likely to make responsible decisions behind the wheel.
Running Red Lights
Running a red light is one of the most dangerous acts a driver can commit and the results can be catastrophic to other drivers and pedestrians alike. It is especially important to stay alert, slow down at yellow lights, and be prepared to stop in the intersection at short notice should anybody else not abide by traffic laws.
Have You or a Loved One Been Involved in a Car Accident? Contact Richard D. Hobbs & Associates Today.
With nearly thirty years of experience and thousands of satisfied clients, the expert team at Richard D. Hobbs & Associates is well-prepared to assist the people of Georgia with all their auto accident and personal injury needs. While we are based in Fayetteville, our team serves clients across Georgia, from Chattanooga Valley to Augusta to Savannah to Albany to Macon to Atlanta to Dawsonville and beyond. Our mission is putting our clients first, and nothing matters more to us than our clients and their futures. We pride ourselves in delivering quality, personal representation in personal injury cases. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries because of another driver’s negligence, that driver must be held accountable. Contact us today so we can get started advocating for you!