Getting into a traffic collision can be a terrifying experience. Even a minor accident can cause significant injuries that lead to medical bills, loss of work, and emotional distress.

Impaired judgment, reckless driving, and other driver errors cause most traffic accidents. Understanding the most common causes of collisions can help prevent car accidents and injuries.

Speeding

Inappropriate speed is a common cause of severe car accidents. When drivers go over the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions, it reduces their reaction time and increases the severity of any collisions.

Drivers often speed because they are running late and must quickly get where they are going. This is why it is essential to give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to be and not rush.

Other drivers speed because they enjoy the thrill of traveling at a high rate of speed. They may feel confident and control their vehicle, even on familiar roads. Regardless of the reason, all speeding behaviors violate a driver’s duty to exercise reasonable care and are preventable.

Aggressive Driving

While many drivers follow the standard of care on the road, others behave aggressively. The most common cause of a collision is speeding or aggressive driving. These behaviors can include swerving in and out of lanes, failing to signal, tailgating, and improper passing.

Aggressive driving is often a result of anger, frustration, and impatience. Many people are constantly on the go, trying to go from one place to another for work, school, errands, and appointments with doctors or other specialists.

Giving yourself plenty of time is essential to get where you need to be. You should also plan alternate routes if traffic or weather issues slow you down. Remain calm if you come across an angry driver. Even a polite honk can be misinterpreted and escalate the situation. The last thing you want is to become the victim of an accident.

Distracted Driving

Even though a lot more individuals are now aware of the risks, using a cell phone while driving is still a major factor in auto accidents. Even sending texts or making phone calls can cause drivers to get distracted from the road and become less aware of their surroundings, which can result in tragic crashes.

Other kinds of distracted driving include eating, drinking, and reaching for objects within the vehicle, which can also take a driver’s attention away from the road. The risk is not only for drivers, passengers, and motorists.

Fortunately, these types of crashes can be prevented by following simple safety tips. These include obeying speed limits and traffic control signals, avoiding aggressive driving behaviors, and avoiding distractions.

Poor Weather Conditions

Almost anyone who has driven for an extended period knows that inclement weather increases your risk of getting into an accident. From rain, snow, and fog to ice, sleet, high winds, and debris on the road caused by inclement weather, many conditions can cause dangerous driving situations for drivers.

Regardless of vehicle technology, driving carefully when the weather is poor is always essential. For example, rain reduces visibility, so keeping your speed low and leaving plenty of distance between you and the cars around you is best. If you need to rest your eyes, it is always a good idea to pull over in a safe spot off the road and wait for the weather to improve.

Vehicle Defects

Every car or auto equipment that goes into service must pass strict Federal safety standards. A product liability lawsuit may be used to hold manufacturers liable for errors they make or even for neglecting to alert customers to possible risks.

Minor manufacturer defects, such as radios that don’t work or engines that burn too much oil, might not pose a significant safety risk, but some flaws can. These defects might cause a collision or make an accident worse than it otherwise would have been.

Vehicle defects can include design flaws, manufacturing defects, and component failure. When these issues occur, they present a real risk to drivers and other road users. Just because poor weather conditions may have contributed to a collision, however, you cannot assume the other driver was not negligent in driving during that condition.