Most of the vehicle accidents that occur in this country are caused by some type of error on the driver’s part. Each year, there are approximately 40,000 victims killed in car accidents. Many of these victims practiced safe driving behaviors and obeyed all traffic regulations, but unfortunately encountered another driver who failed to do the same.
When a person is injured in a car accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver, they are entitled to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for any losses they sustain, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. If the victim does not survive the crash, then their family can pursue a wrongful death claim.
The following are some of the more common causes of car accidents:
Distracted Driving
Despite all of the warnings and education, distracted driving continues to be major cause of car accidents and each year, those numbers increase. Studies have shown that drivers who engage in activities that take their focus off the road are twice as likely to get into a crash as those drivers who stay focused. Some of the more common distracted driving behaviors include:
- Driving while highly emotional
- Eating and drinking
- Fatigue
- Fiddling with the radio
- Grooming (putting on makeup, combing hair)
- Interacting with passengers
- Reading or writing
- Talking on a cell phone
- Texting
- Using a GPS
- Using social media apps
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol
Driving under the influence is another main cause of car accidents in this country. In addition to alcohol and illegal drugs, driving under the influence of prescription medication is also a major cause of accidents. The use of any substance which hinders a person’s ability to react and anticipate to what is going on around them can result in a crash. The federal government cites drunk driving as one of the major causes of fatal accidents, killing more than 10,000 victims every year.
Speeding
Every road, street, and highway in this country has a speed limit. There are multiple studies and surveys that go into how a posted speed limit is chosen for a particular area, yet almost every driver on the road is guilty of going faster than the speed limit at one time or another, either because they are running late, not paying attention to the signs, or some other reason. Regardless of the reason, drivers who speed put themselves and everyone around them at risk of becoming a fatal car accident victim.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
If you have been in a car accident caused by another driver, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney right away. Even if there have been criminal charges filed or some type of traffic violation citation issued against the driver, you are still entitled to pursue damages. These types of actions are conducted under the umbrella of the civil court system and are completely separate from criminal charges.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Hickey & Turim for their insight into car accident laws.