Understanding common causes of fatal car accidents can help you stay safer on the road. Auto accidents are the third-leading cause of fatal preventable injuries, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Tragically, many of these deaths wouldn’t happen if drivers were more careful behind the wheel.
If someone close to you was killed by a reckless driver on Philadelphia roads, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. Compensation from a suit like this can help you cover funeral expenses, lost household income that the deceased person would have provided, medical costs, and noneconomic damages.
In this post, we break down the most frequent causes of deadly crashes and explain steps you can take to protect yourself.
Since the advent of the smartphone, the number of road deaths related to distracted driving has skyrocketed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 3,300 distracted driving fatalities in 2022 alone.
Activities like texting, using GPS, eating, or adjusting the radio all take your eyes off the road and your hands away from the wheel. Even a split-second distraction at highway speeds can lead to devastating collisions.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has long been recognized as a hugely risky activity, yet it remains a persistent problem.
The maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) with which you can legally operate a vehicle is 0.08%. If you have an accident and you can prove that the at-fault driver in your case was over this limit, you may be entitled to punitive damages; these can greatly inflate the value of your claim. The same goes for the presence of any recreational drugs. If you’re curious about how this might play a role in your car accident claim, you should discuss it with an attorney.
Drunk driving contributes to about one-third of all fatal car accidents in the U.S., making it one of the leading causes of roadway deaths.
Speeding impairs your ability to react to sudden obstacles and increases the force of impact during a collision. This is true even at relatively low speeds. Studies show that pedestrians hit by a car traveling at 32mph have a 75% chance of survival; that drops to 50% if the car is traveling at 42mph.
As well as speeding, reckless driving includes aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving through traffic, and running red lights. These actions not only endanger the reckless driver but also put other road users at extreme risk.
Driving while tired can be as dangerous as driving drunk. Fatigued drivers experience slower reaction times and impaired judgment, and they can even fall asleep at the wheel. This is a bigger risk on highways, as drivers are more likely to drift off when they have less to do; unfortunately, this is also the setting in which a driver who falls asleep is likely to cause the most damage.
Fatigue is a particularly serious issue among those who drive for work (such as truck drivers) as they’re often under pressure to stay on the road for extended periods in order to hit deadlines. For this reason, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) puts hours of service (HOS) regulations in place. These rules dictate how long drivers can legally stay on the road without taking a break.
If you can prove that the at-fault driver in your case was in violation of these rules at the time of your crash, it may be easier for you to establish liability on their part.
Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, fog, and ice can make driving far more dangerous. Wet or icy roads reduce tire traction, while fog and heavy rain impair visibility. Drivers who fail to adjust their speed or driving habits to match weather conditions are more likely to cause serious or fatal accidents.
When weather plays a role in a fatal accident, it can be more difficult to establish liability on the part of the at-fault driver; their insurance company may argue that the conditions, rather than driver fault, was the reason for the crash. However, drivers are expected to travel more carefully in winter conditions, and failing to do so may be considered negligent.
Inexperienced drivers, particularly teenagers, are more likely to make errors behind the wheel that lead to fatal accidents. Common mistakes include failing to judge the speed of oncoming traffic, improper lane changes, and overcorrecting during emergencies.
When we discuss negligence that leads to road accidents, we’re usually talking about driver error. However, a manufacturer’s failure to make their vehicles safe to drive can also lead to accidents (and successful product liability lawsuits).
Faulty brakes, blown tires, and malfunctioning airbags can all lead to fatal accidents.
Road hazards such as potholes and poorly marked lanes contribute to many fatal accidents. Government authorities have a responsibility to maintain safe roadways, and can be held liable if their failure to do so results in a car accident death. However, because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity, public bodies are much harder to successfully sue than private companies or individuals. Your lawyer will be able to go into more detail on how the rules in this area may affect your case.
According to CDC statistics, seat belts reduce the rate of injury and death in crashes by about 50%. However, they only work if they’re used properly. Many fatalities occur when drivers or passengers fail to wear their seat belts or wear them incorrectly.
Every fatal accident is a tragedy, but many of the collision types we’ve discussed here are highly preventable. By staying focused, obeying traffic laws, and avoiding dangerous behaviors, you can reduce the risk of being involved in a fatal car crash.
If someone close to you lost their life on the road, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver. Contact the Cochran Firm in Philadelphia today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced road accident attorneys. We take payment as a percentage of successful settlements or verdicts, so you don’t need to worry about spending money you don’t have on legal fees.
You can reach us via our webform or by phone at 800-969-4400.
