Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, it’s important to recognize that an automobile accident and associated injuries can happen at any time for any reason. Although many people think it will never happen to them, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s estimate of yearly traffic fatalities typically shows that tens of thousands of people die every year from motor vehicle crashes. In 2021, there were approximately 43,000 deaths caused by different type of auto accidents.
This number is merely one example of the dangers on the open road. According to a National Safety Council’s 2020 overview of reported motor vehicle injuries, which have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 4.8 million medically consulted injuries occurred that year because of vehicle crashes.
There are several hundred million registered and non-registered vehicles on the road at any given time. Driving a motor vehicle is obviously a high-risk privilege. Consider the following three most common automobile accidents and the reasons they occur:
Lone-Vehicle Accidents
People slam into animals that suddenly run across a road. They fall asleep at the wheel or become distracted by a passenger or phone call and hit telephone poles, trees, pedestrians, and parked cars. Some people drive too fast on curves and lose control. That said, drivers also often experience lone-vehicle, auto accidents because of the negligence of others.
For example, a road construction crew might fail to appropriately place warning signage about a dangerous spot. A ball might come flying out of a yard and hit a windshield. The local municipality or state might fail to appropriately light dark sections of road or keep the road clear of ice and snow during bad, winter weather.
In some cases, a lone vehicle accident happens for no other reason than a part defect from manufacturer negligence causes mechanical breakdown.
End-Impact Accidents
Front- and rear-end impacts often occur because people fail to use common sense. Although a driver in start-stop traffic might become distracted for a second by glaring sunlight and rear-end someone who stopped suddenly, for example, especially if the next vehicle isn’t at least three car-lengths ahead, many people actively and purposely drive distracted or while unfit. This type of driving can also cause them to drift into an oncoming lane and head on into another vehicle causing a front-end impact.
Some drivers don’t get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel or fail to defensively maintain situational awareness and watch for poor driving behaviors by other drivers. The nighttime news is also filled with stories of people driving while intoxicated by alcohol or mind-altering illegal or legal prescription medication. There are also equally negligent drivers who write and read text messages, surf the internet while driving or attempt to race through a yellow light or even a red one at an intersection.
Parking-Lot Accidents
Lastly, drivers often misjudge the distance between cars and people while pulling into and out of parking lots and parking spaces. A driver might sideswipe a vehicle or even accidentally hit it while the other driver or their passengers are still inside. Even if the vehicle isn’t moving, anyone inside can experience whiplash or a dangerous blow to the head during this type of accident. They might also become injured because another driver accidentally hits them while they’re walking near or standing outside of their vehicle. Modern backup cameras help to reduce some of these accidents, but camera malfunction caused by defective parts can also occur.
You Are Not Alone
If you believe that an automobile accident and associated injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence, such as another driver, business owner, or the state, talk to one of our knowledgeable car accident lawyers at The McCallister Law Firm about filing a claim. You have the right to compensation to help you cover medical expenses, work and social losses, as well as any other related damages.
