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The top causes of car accidents and how to prevent them

Top Causes of Car Accidents and How to Prevent Them

When you get behind the wheel, you have more to think about than many realize. You may have been driving for a long time and consider yourself equipped to handle whatever comes your way on the road. However, it’s never a bad idea to make sure you’re practicing safe driving every time you get in the car. Car accidents happen, and if you find yourself needing legal representation in Northern Colorado, local lawyer Steve Ray will fight for you. In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common causes of car accidents, and how you can be prepared to prevent them.

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

  • Distracted Driving – Distracted drivers are the number one cause of car accidents in the United States today. This is not the driver who drove drunk through a red light, no this includes anyone on the road focusing on something else in addition to the road. This includes eating, texting, talking on the phone, putting on makeup, reaching for something elsewhere in the car, etc. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,450 people died in 2016 due to crashes caused by a distracted driver, and the numbers are climbing.
  • Speeding – Speeding is incredibly common. We’ve all been in the situation where we are going the speed limit, and someone comes right up to the back of our car only to speed around us any chance they get. Or maybe you’ve been that person to speed around someone, or drive quicker than the speed limit because you’re in a hurry. Whatever the reason, speeding leads to reckless driving which kills. The faster you drive, the less reaction time you will have if you need to take action to prevent a car accident.
  • Drunk Driving – This may seem like common sense, however drinking too much causes you to lose your ability to function properly, which is incredibly dangerous when operating a vehicle. Drinking significantly increases your risk of causing a car accident. These accidents are also one of the most preventable causes of car accidents.
  • Weather – No matter rain, snow, or wind, weather can be a potential hazard to your safety as a driver. Car accidents are common in the rain and snow because the water and ice creates a slick and dangerous surface for vehicles. It’s easy when driving on an icy or wet road to spin out of control and cause an accident.
  • Night Driving – Night driving doubles your risk of a car accident due to the lack of visibility compared to daytime. When you can’t see what’s ahead of you, you can’t anticipate what’s coming your way as you drive toward it.

How to Prevent Car Accidents

  • Don’t Drive Distracted – It may seem important, but it’s not. When you’re in the car, that should be your top focus. Silence your cell phone and avoid eating, putting on makeup, or any other potential distractions. If it’s urgent, simply pull over.
  • Avoid the Fast Lane – Using the center or right lanes on multilane roads gives you more “escape routes” should you need to make a quick maneuver, like changing lanes or pulling onto the shoulder, to avoid an accident. The most highway accidents occur in the left lane because people are in a hurry. Simply stick to the middle or right lanes, go the speed limit, and you’ll be considerably safer.
  • Watch Your Blind Spots – Many people rely solely on their side and rear-view mirrors to give them the entire view of their car. However, it’s important to make sure you turn to look directly to avoid missing something that your mirror may not catch. Also, be sure to take into account other drivers’ blind spots. That way you can minimize the amount of time you spend in them.
  • Know Your Car – Knowing your car is incredibly important in making sure you keep yourself and others safe on the road. As you drive, pay attention to the way your car reacts in certain situations. For example, if your car leans a lot when you make a turn, this means that turning the wheel quickly in the event of an accident could be dangerous. Knowing these small details about your car could help you navigate a potentially dangerous situation, and avoid a car accident in the future.
  • Keep Your Car in Good Shape – Taking care of your car is beneficial for your safety. It will benefit you to have your brakes working properly, your tires with proper traction, etc. You never know when you’ll encounter weather and need good windshield wipers and tires, a distracted driver, or any other potential accident-causing thing on the road.

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If you find yourself in the situation of needing legal assistance for a car accident, Steve Ray has your six. What does it mean to have your six? It means that Steve has your back. He is committed to serving people of the Northern Colorado area with honesty and hard work as the area’s trusted car accident attorney. He will work aggressively for the maximum amount for you. Call or reach out online today.

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