It was in the year 2021 when the traffic casualty was at a sixteen-year high. Roughly 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic accidents in that year! If you look at it statistically, there was a drastic increase of 10.5% from 2020. It is one of the highest yearly percentages ever in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
The year also saw one of the highest numbers of casualties since 2005. It has specifically been observed that due to out-of-state visitors, car accidents in Florida have become quite common.
A Road Traffic Crash Statistic to Remember
In the U.S., road traffic crashes are one of the leading reasons for the death of people aged 1 to 54! It is a startling statistic. Certain car accidents are such that they result in fatal injuries resulting in death. While for others, it takes a painful process of hours, days, or weeks for the fatality of the injury to cause the death of the person.
While the statistics that we have refurbished above are startling. Keep in mind that there is a loss of life and a family that is left behind to suffer once the car accident occurs. This is where it becomes quite essential to ascertain the real reasons for fatal car accidents.
If you are really interested to learn about some insightful statistics on the most common Florida car accident causes, we suggest you look at this distracted driving survey by a local Gainesville, FL, car accident attorney. In this survey, the attorney has provided information on the different causes of car accidents in Florida.
In this write-up, we will go a step further and provide you with the causes of top car accidents in the U.S. as a country.
Once you are able to determine the causes, it will become easier for you to prevent such car accidents from happening in the near future.
So, let us get started with the exploration process.
Top Car Accident Causes in the U.S.
If you look at it cumulatively, there are 25 causes of car accidents in the US:
- Animal crossings
- Construction sites
- Curves
- Driving in the monsoon rain
- Drowsy driving
- Drugs
- Drunk driving
- Ignoring the directives of the road
- Fog
- Ice
- Improper turns
- Inattentive driving (We already explained this in our previous blog)
- Night driving
- Potholes
- Rash driving
- Running red lights
- Snow
- Speeding (We already explained this in our previous blog)
- Street racing
- Tailgating
- Teenagers driving the car
- Tire blowouts
- Unsafe lane changes
- Vehicle malfunc
- Wrong way driving
We will try to cover as many top car accident causes in the U.S. as possible.
Drunk driving
There was a time when drunk driving used to be one of the top car accident causes in the U.S. However, with the use of tablets, cell phones, GPS devices, drunk driving has dropped down in the list. That said, still, there are lots of accidents that take place in the U.S. due to drunk drivers on a yearly basis. So, if you wish to drink, never drive. Always have a sober companion to take you home, or hire Uber.
Rash driving
Instances like driving aggressively, speeding, and tailgating come under rash driving. Each year, rash driving contributes heavily to car accidents. Always be polite and think about other car drivers when you drive on the road. Rash driving can result in fines, points to your license, and even jail time.
Running red lights
Similar to drunk driving, running red lights is one of the primary causes of car accidents in the U.S. Certain drivers ignore the red light and push hard toward the other side of the road. This results in fatal car accidents. Remember, being distracted for any reason is not good, whether due to office pressure or family matters; when you are driving, your concentration should be on the traffic signal.
Driving in the monsoon rain
While driving in the rain, it is important to keep a minimum speed. Remember, safety comes first while driving your car on the road. If the rain gets heavier and your visibility gets affected, pull your car to the side of the road till the rain pacifies.
Tailgating
It is always dangerous to be close enough to a vehicle while driving. This can cause fatal car accidents. So, always keep a distance between your car and the car ahead of you all the time.
Drowsy driving
When you are fatigued, never drive a car. Remember, when you are overtired, it can have an adverse effect on your judgment. Your reaction time slows down, your vision becomes blurry, and sometimes you can even sleep while driving. If you face such a scenario ever, pull your car off the road and rest. If there is a hotel, stay over there and sleep before starting the next day afresh.
Drugs
Alcohol and drowsy driving are not the only guilty partners that can have an adverse effect on your judgment and vision. Even drugs can make it difficult for you to drive safely. If you take heavy prescription medications before driving, it can be fatal for you as well as the other vehicle or person who can meet with the fatal accident. In case the doctor prescribes you medication, ask them whether it can impair your judgment while driving.
Fog
Fog is another big risk factor when you are driving a car. In case you must drive during a fog, ensure that the fog lights are turned on in your vehicle. Always drive at minimum speed. Also, do check whether you are driving in your own lane.
Snow
If you see a lot of snow on the ground, it is safe not to drive your car. Never take the risk of driving during the snow. However, if you cannot avoid it, always drive at a minimum speed and put your vehicle in a four-wheel drive. In case you do not have that option, we suggest you place chains on your tires. It is also a good idea to equip your car with snow tires, especially if you reside in an area where it snows very often.
Final Words
These are some of the top car accident causes in the U.S. We have tried to cover as many accident causes as possible in this write-up. If you ever get involved in a car accident in the U.S. and wish to get compensation for the injuries sustained due to any car accident causes mentioned in this write-up, contact an experienced car crash lawyer in the U.S. today!
