Common Causes of Auto Accidents

Auto accidents occur on a regular basis and often result in severe injuries or fatalities. More than one million Americans die each year in auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), many of these accidents are caused by bad driving.

The most common causes of auto accidents are:

• Distracted drivers. Approximately 25-50% of motor vehicle accidents in the United States are caused by distracted drivers. The most common driver distractions resulting in accidents are rubbernecking, driver fatigue, looking at scenery, other passengers, adjusting the radio, and cell phones.
• Driver fatigue. Every year, approximately 100,000 accidents are caused by drivers who are too tired to be behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many people do not act sensibly and pull over when they feel they are too tired to drive. This results in many avoidable accidents.
• Drunk Driving. The NHTSA estimates that in 2004, over 16,000 motor vehicle fatalities involved alcohol-related accidents. This risk is especially great on weekend nights.
• Speeding. Drivers who speed pose multiple dangers to others on the road. Speeding reduces the amount of time you have to react to road conditions, increasing the likelihood of an accident. Furthermore, injuries sustained in high speed crashes are often much more severe.
• Aggressive Driving. Aggressive driving threatens the safety of all others on the road. Examples of aggressive driving tendencies include tailgating, flashing high beams at drivers in front of you, deliberately preventing another driver from changing lanes or passing, disregard for traffic signals, unsafe and unexpected lane changes, and failure to yield the right of way.
• Weather. Adverse weather conditions such as snow, ice, heavy rain, high winds, and fog make driving conditions considerably more hazardous and lead to many accidents.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. The attorneys at Stipe Injury Law have the skills, resources, and experience needed to help you receive the proper compensation that you deserve.

Please contact our Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys today to schedule a consultation.