Jason Stephens | November 27, 2020 | Car Accidents
Fort Worth car accidents cause severe injuries and deaths each year. Many of the causes of car accidents can be attributed to human error. However, there are some causes of car accidents that might be out of the driver’s control, such as mechanical failures and weather conditions.
Knowing the common causes of car accidents and how to prevent them can help you avoid a tragic situation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas and How to Avoid Them
Common factors in Texas car accidents include:
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in the United States. Distractions include anything that takes your eyes off the road, your mind off driving, or your hands off the steering wheel. The most dangerous distractions involving all three actions, such as texting while driving.
Keeping your focus on the road and pulling over when you need to do something other than driving can help avoid distracted driving accidents.
2. Speeding
Speeding is another common cause of traffic accidents. Speed limits are designed to help decrease the risk of accidents and decrease the severity of injuries in the event of an accident. Obeying the speed limit is the best way to avoid a speeding accident.
3. Impaired Driving
Drunk and drugged driving can be avoided by never getting behind the steering wheel of a vehicle when you are intoxicated or impaired. However, thousands of impaired drivers cause deadly DUI accidents each year. Thousands of accident victims sustain debilitating injuries because of drunk drivers.
4. Improper Turns
Many of the accidents involving improper turns take place at intersections. Side-impact accidents or T-bone accidents can result in catastrophic injuries for the passengers of the other car. Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents involving improper turns and failing to yield the right of way.
5. Tailgating (Following Too Closely)
Tailgating is a common cause of rear-end accidents. A driver is following too closely to adjust his speed to avoid a collision when a vehicle in front of him slows down or stops. Avoiding distractions and leaving at least three car lengths (more in poor driving conditions) can help avoid a rear-end crash.
6. Ignoring Traffic Signals and Signs
Running stop signs and traffic signals can result in head-on collisions and side-impact crashes, resulting in traumatic injuries. Speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving, and impaired driving are common causes of red light and stop sign accidents. Avoiding these hazardous driving choices can help avoid this type of car accident.
7. Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is any behavior that places the driver or others on the road in danger of injury. Weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, excess speed, and cutting other drivers off are examples of reckless driving.
8. Road Hazards and Defects
Roads that are defectively designed or inadequately maintained can increase the risk of a car crash. Government entities and third parties could be responsible for an accident caused by a defectively designed road.
Debris and road hazards can also increase the risk of traffic accidents. Road hazards can include potholes and uneven pavement. Driving the speed limit and staying focused on the road can reduce the risk of an accident caused by road hazards.
9. Poor Weather Conditions
Slowing down in poor weather conditions is the best way to reduce your risk of a traffic accident. Allowing more room between your vehicle and the vehicles in front of you is also wise during poor weather conditions.
10. Vehicle Defects
Defective automobile parts can be a factor in some traffic accidents. You might not be aware that you have a defective vehicle or defective part. You can check for vehicle recalls online.
If you are notified of a vehicle recall, contact the dealer or an authorized repair facility immediately.
11. Aggressive Driving or Road Rage
Drivers who are angry behind the wheel of a vehicle can be dangerous. They may engage in reckless driving behaviors. The best way to avoid an accident is to allow the other driver to continue ahead without engaging the driver by yelling or using hand gestures.
You never want to engage a driver displaying signs of road rage. The situation could become dangerous or deadly.
12. Senior Drivers
It is not easy to know when to give up driving because of age. As people age, their focus, attention, coordination, balance, and flexibility can diminish. The decrease in these abilities can negatively affect how a person operates a vehicle.
Family members may need to have a difficult discussion with senior drivers if they notice problems, such as an increase in minor accidents, scratches on the vehicle, or becoming lost while driving.
13. Teen Drivers
Teen drivers are at high risk for traffic accidents because they lack experience handling adverse driving conditions. They are also easily distracted and may engage in dangerous driving decisions. Parents can help protect their teen drivers by setting and enforcing driving rules and closely monitoring their teen drivers.
14. Fatigued Drivers
Certain people are at a higher risk of fatigued driving, including truck drivers, shift workers, night workers, and individuals with sleep disorders. You can avoid a fatigued driving accident by getting plenty of sleep and avoiding driving when taking medications that can make you drowsy.
15. Driving the Wrong Way
Driving the wrong way can cause head-on collisions, which have the potential for catastrophic and life-threatening injuries. The causes of wrong-way driving include failing to obey traffic signs, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
16. Construction and Road Work
Construction zones and road work can also be a factor in some traffic accidents. Drivers speeding through work zones can lose control of the vehicle. If a driver sideswipes a piece of machinery, a barrier, or a traffic cone, the driver may crash.
Follow speed limits in work zones. Also, watch for lane changes and directional signs.
17. Improper Lane Changes and Merging
Improper lane changes and merging can increase the risk of accidents. These accidents often occur when merging onto an interstate, changing lanes, or passing another vehicle. Always check for other vehicles and leave plenty of room when passing other cars.
18. Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts can happen because you run over a sharp object in the road, have a nail or other object in your tire, or because the tire was defective. Try to remain calm and pull over to the first safe location if your tire blows out.
19. Dangerous Curves
Some curves are incredibly sharp with blind spots that cannot be avoided. The speed limits for dangerous curves are very low to decrease the risk of an accident. Always obey the speed limit when driving through a dangerous curve and stay on your side of the road.
20. Animals Crossing the Road
Animals can dart across the road without warning. When you see an animal crossing sign, slow down and watch for animals on the side of the road. The urge to slam on the brakes, or swerve can result in a traffic accident.
21. Taking Care of Passengers or Pets
Children, other passengers, and pets in the car can be a huge distraction. If you need to care for young children or pets, pull over to a safe location. Try to limit interactions with passengers that can be distracting, especially in heavy traffic.
22. Driving at Night
Driving at night can increase your risk of an accident, especially when there is very little light. Make sure that you replace burnt-out bulbs in your headlights and clean the headlights to increase visibility. Driving slower at night can also reduce the risk of an accident.
23. Street Racing
Street racing is a problem in many cities. It can also be a problem in rural areas. If you see street racing, leave the location and call 911 to report the incident.
24. Low Visibility
Fog and rain can decrease visibility. Reducing your speed and using your headlights on low can help avoid an accident.
25. Violating Traffic Laws
Texas’s traffic laws are designed to protect the general public by reducing the risk of traffic accidents. Violating any traffic laws increases the risk of being involved in a car crash.
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand how you can recover compensation for your physical injuries, financial losses, and other damages.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth car accident lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000