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Motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common ways that people suffer accidental injuries, with nearly 10,000 accidents in just one month in New York City alone. These accidents often result in severe injuries, and in some cases can be fatal. But what is it that makes these accidents so commonplace? Here are seven of the biggest factors that contribute to motor vehicle accidents:
- Speeding
- The number one factor commonly cited in motor vehicle accidents is speeding. In about thirty percent of cases where someone was killed in a motor vehicle accident, it was found that at least one of the involved vehicles was speeding at the time of the accident. This is because the increased speed reduces the opportunity to brake or avoid an accident, while also increasing the lethality of an accident from the increased force of the impact.
- Distracted driving
- Another extremely common factor in motor vehicle accidents is distracted driving. While the term is often used as shorthand to describe texting while driving, the fact is that any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road is a potential hazard. This includes things like eating, reading, shaving, or putting on makeup, as well as adjusting the radio or programming a GPS. Even loud or obnoxious passengers can become a sufficient distraction to increase the chances of an accident.
- Poor vehicular maintenance
- Performing proper maintenance on a vehicle can mean the difference between a safe drive and an accident. Poorly maintained vehicles often have a hard time braking or swerving to avoid a potential accident, and are more likely to skid out in the event of a sudden brake. In addition, poorly maintained vehicles are much more likely to suffer a catastrophic malfunction, potentially resulting in complete loss of control over a vehicle.
- Bad road conditions
- Sometimes, the issue is not with the vehicle or the driver, but the state of the roads where they are driving. A road may be poorly maintained, with potholes and other hazards potentially causing damage to vehicles. Alternatively, the road may be covered in ice or rainwater, making conditions more slippery, which leads to a higher risk of accidents.
- Driving at night
- It is a simple fact that more motor vehicle accidents occur at night, after it has become dark, than happen during the day. The reason for this is simple: when it is dark, visibility is limited, making it more likely that someone will accidentally hit someone else while driving. This risk increases in places with limited street lighting, where it is easy for vehicles or pedestrians to be concealed from a motorist’s view until it is too late.
- Aggressive driving
- Sometimes, people will cause an accident by simply driving in a way that is hostile towards other drivers. This behavior, known as aggressive driving, includes behaviors like tailgating, switching lanes without signalling, or intentionally cutting off other vehicles. This hostility makes a person’s driving more unpredictable and dangerous, and increases the risk of an accident for themselves and everyone around them.
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances is flatly illegal. Alcohol, drugs, and even prescription medications can all hinder a person’s ability to react to hazards on the road, and can make them dangerously inattentive. Nevertheless, that does not stop many people from committing DUI offenses, increasing the risk of an accident that can injure themselves or anyone else unfortunate enough to be nearby.
For more than 40 years, the Drucker Law Firm has been providing personal and quality legal services to individuals, universities, and corporations throughout the New York City and Tri-State area. We have represented three generations of clients in personal injury cases, as well as immigration, real estate, and general litigation matters. If you have a legal issue related to personal injury law, please give us a call at (718) 458-1489 to schedule a consultation or visit our contact page.
