What Factors Increase Car Accident Fatalities?

What Factors Increase Car Accident Fatalities?

In 2020, a total of 38,800 deaths resulted from car accidents. This is the highest death count since 2007, and the numbers keep increasing. Drivers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of other drivers and passengers. Many fail to uphold it by ignoring traffic rules. If you are part of the statistic, i.e., you lost loved ones to irresponsible drivers, contact a Cook County Accident lawyer to get closure as you sue for damages.

Top Factors That Cause Car Accident Fatalities

Some of the common factors that cause fatal car accidents include:

Distracted Driving

This is considered the number one cause of fatal car accidents in the US. It takes the driver’s focus off the road, which can easily cause serious accidents. Common examples include:

  • Texting
  • Eating
  • Loud music
  • Applying makeup
  • Using a handheld device
  • Talking to passengers incessantly
  • Drinking while driving
  • Unsecured pets in the car
  • Adjusting the GPS
  • Tuning the radio

Speeding

Speeding can cause a pileup or collision with other vehicles, animals, and pedestrians crossing the road. The crash is almost always fatal at high speed. Limits ensure drivers have sufficient time to break to avoid obstacles and other people on the road. So if you are doing a 60 in a 35 zone, you may not be able to brake in time at a red light or brake too late when a child runs across the road chasing their pet or ball.

Drunk Driving

While drunk driving is not the number one cause of fatal car accidents anymore because of successful campaigns, it is still on the list. Whether you drank a whole wine bottle or just one beer can, your alcohol tolerance may not be as strong as you think. You can start getting drowsy and disoriented on the road while heading home and cause a fatal accident. Avoid that by assigning a designated driver or calling a ride-share.

Bad Weather

Roads slippery from melting snow and rainwater can cause a car to skid out of control, whether it is going slowly or at high speed. You can quickly spin out of control or skid on the wet surface. So even if you try to avoid someone on the road, inertia and the slick road will still cause a serious collision.

Running Stop Signs

Stop signs are set down at intersections so that drivers get the chance to look for oncoming traffic before proceeding. Run a stop sign, and you will surely ram or get rammed by a vehicle from the other side. Rollover and side-impact accidents are common and can prove fatal.

Running Red Lights

Drivers driving at red lights have higher chances of causing car accidents or wrongful deaths. Most cause side-impact collisions and pileups when they run the light at high speed.

Contact The Law Offices Of Robert T. Edens for a Wrongful Death Claim

Did you lose a loved one because of a car accident caused by the factors mentioned above? You can file a wrongful death claim with help from a Cook County auto accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens. We have over 20 years of experience aiding victims, and grieving relatives like you get closure and compensation worth millions of dollars. Our services are confidential and personalized. Contact us for a consultation by dialing 847-395-2200.

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