All kinds of car accidents are stressful, but the ones which cause death can be particularly devastating. If you watch the news channel or read the newspaper, you should know that hundreds of car accidents take place every day in the United States. Fatal crashes can significantly impact the surviving members of the family.
If your loved one has faced death because of a car accident that was caused due to someone else’s neglect, a Salem Oregon personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
Causes of fatal car accidents
- Intoxication.
Despite the government’s efforts of warning everyone about the horrors and risks of drinking and driving, thousands of teenagers and even grown adults are caught driving under the influence of alcohol and other recreational drugs. Intoxication can significantly affect the driver’s vision, reaction time, and judgment- all of which are crucially important for handling a vehicle on the road.
- Distracted driving.
Distracted driving kills countless Americans on a daily basis. Distracted drivers do put not only other drivers’ lives at risk but also pose potential harm to pedestrians and bicyclists. Studies show that 20% of people who die in distracted driving accidents are not even inside vehicles. The types of distracted driving may be as follows.
- Visual distraction (taking eyes off the road)
- Manual distraction (taking hands off the steering wheel)
- Cognitive distraction (taking the mind off driving)
- Drowsy driving.
Falling asleep on the steering wheel, feeling drowsy, fatigued, or blacking out can cause fatal car crashes. NHTSA states that drowsy driving results in about 800 fatalities every year and 50,000 injuries. It is better to take a break or get some sleep when you feel sleepy while driving.
- Speeding.
Speeding is the cause of various car accidents. When a person goes at a higher than usual speed, they have less reaction and judgment time. It will also take a longer time for a speeding person to slow down or stop the car in case the vehicle in front presses the brakes suddenly. The impact of force is also significant in a speeding car accident, resulting in severe injuries and death.
- Reckless and aggressive driving.
Reckless driving refers to when a driver has no regard for the traffic laws and drives as they please. Such type of driving endangers other people’s lives and property. The worst part is that the driver does these things intentionally. Forms of reckless driving may include the following.
- Speeding
- Racing
- Running stop signs
- Tailgating
- Running “No Entry” signs
- Improper lane changing
- Failure to yield right of way
- Making improper turns
- Poor weather.
Poor weather causes slippery roads, poor visibility, and unpredictable driving conditions. All these factors contribute to fatal car accidents. Therefore, one should avoid riding in such weather conditions and check the weather forecast before heading out.