Car accidents killed 40,000 people in 2016. They happen quickly, they happen often, and they have tragic consequences. While there are many things that cause car accidents, and so many are sadly preventable, the number one cause of car accidents is distracted driving. Drivers who multi-task behind the wheel, eating lunch in one hand, texting in the other, adjusting the radio, or talking on the phone cannot pay as much attention to the road as they need to.
Speeding is another common cause for car accidents which result in death because when cars travel at higher speeds, a collision is more deadly. Therefore, a higher percentage of car accidents that involve speeding drivers end in death compared to accidents where drivers were not speeding.
Drunk driving is another preventable cause of car accidents that takes innocent lives every year. Alcohol impairs our ability to use the motor skills we need to drive a car competently, and impairs our ability to make the rational decisions required to drive on shared roads. These top three car accident causes can easily be avoided with intentional, careful driving.
An Atlanta personal injury attorney can provide more information about your legal rights if you’ve been involved in a car accident.