Driving is a dangerous activity, and, as such, car accidents are one of the most common types of cases we handle. Although you might think that you are the perfect driver, even the best drivers can get involved in accidents. And no matter how safe you are, you can be assured that not everyone else on the road is quite so careful. While there are more ways to get into a car accident than we could possibly count, below are a few of the most common reasons why people get into accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a serious and growing threat, and has only gotten worse due to the explosion of smartphone usage in recent years. Studies show that sending one text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. 4.6 seconds might not seem like a lot of time, but, trust us, it’s more than enough time to get into a serious accident.
Speeding
Roadways are designed in such a way as to be safe for ordinary driving conditions at particular speeds. If you are speeding, you are driving faster than the road was designed for and you are much more likely to be injured in a crash. Speeding also makes it more likely that, if you are involved in a crash, you will be seriously injured.
Rain
Driving in the rain is often difficult. The roads are slippery, visibility is reduced, and many of the drivers around you are nervous and jittery. This produces the perfect environment for an accident.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving describes a broad category of driving behaviors that increase your risk of being in an accident, including changing lanes too quickly, driving far over the speed limit, cutting other drivers off, and rolling through or running stop signs. Although you may or may not engage in these behaviors, other drivers certainly do.
Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts can be caused by many conditions, including over- or under-inflation, worn treads, or very hot roadways. When a tire blows out, it causes the vehicle to suddenly swerve violently in the opposite direction from the side of the car the tire is on. If the driver of the car is not prepared for this swerve, it can be very easy to crash into neighboring vehicles.
Tailgating
If the person in front of you is going particularly slowly, it’s very tempting to show your frustration by driving right up on their rear bumper. Although this behavior might have a cathartic effect on the driver, it also increases the chance that the person who is doing the tailgating will rear-end the car in front of them.
Construction Zones
Construction zones can be confusing due to suddenly reduced speeds, narrow lanes, lane shifts, and the presence of construction workers. If drivers are not paying extra attention in construction zones, these conditions make them very common areas for accidents.
Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident that was due to another driver’s negligence, you might be able to recover for your injuries through a personal injury action. Contact the attorneys at Slappey & Sadd for a free consultation to discuss your case by calling 404.255.6677. We serve the entire state of Georgia, including the following locations: Troup County, Walker County, and Whitfield County.