What are the Top Causes of Car Accidents?

Some of the most common causes of serious injury accidents include:

• Drunk driving: The number of alcohol-related traffic deaths increased from 9,865 in 2011 to 10,322 in the year 2012. This increase is alarming because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the total number of traffic deaths decreased by 3.3 percent. If you feel the effects of alcohol, you must avoid driving. If you see a vehicle swerving or moving erratically, pull over and call the authorities. You can see a list of DUI statistics in Orange County from the past few years in our Orange County Car Accident Statistics Report.
• Speeding: According to NHTSA, about 55 percent of all speeding-related crashes involved a driver who was exceeding the speed limit and 45 percent involve a driver who was traveling too fast for the roadway conditions. In the year 2007, about 31 percent of all fatal crashes were speed-related resulting in 13,040 fatalities.
• Distracted driving: You are considered distracted if your hands are off the wheel, your eyes are off the road or your mind is wandering from the task at hand. When you text, your attention is diverted in all three ways, making it extremely dangerous. It is also unsafe to make a phone call, eat or drink, talk to passengers, groom, read a map or adjust a radio while driving. There were 3,328 traffic fatalities and about 421,000 injuries attributed to distracted driving in the year 2019.
• Drowsy driving: If you are feeling drowsy, you will struggle to focus on the road or to even keep your eyes open. According to NHTSA, about 100,000 police-reported crashes each year involve a fatigued driver. In fact, 1,550 people are killed and 71,000 are injured in accidents involving drowsy drivers annually.
• Carelessness at intersections: Approximately 36 percent of all accidents occur as vehicles are turning or crossing at intersections. Always check your blind spots before turning, yield to oncoming traffic when turning left and obey traffic lights and street signs. Careless driving is also a primary reason for a vehicle on train accidents.
• Wet and icy conditions: It is the responsibility of all drivers to reduce their speed and to leave more room between vehicles when roads are wet or icy.
• Defective auto parts: It is important to properly inspect and repair your vehicle. You can also reduce your chances of being in an accident by staying abreast of recent part recalls and investigations. Your vehicle may be under investigation right now. You will not, however, be notified of the investigation unless the manufacturer issues an official recall.
• Poorly maintained roadways: It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that large potholes and uneven surfaces are repaired within a reasonable amount of time.