Causes Of Car Accidents

Statistics provided by the Ohio Department of Public Safety show that there were 290,216 total automobile accidents in 2011, which resulted in 72,305 injuries and 941 deaths.

Being involved in an automobile accident is always unfortunate, no matter what the circumstances. Of course, in some cases we may be able to avoid an accident by using defensive driving techniques; however some accidents are simply unavoidable and may cause harm to all individuals involved.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another individual, the victim may eligible to receive compensation for their losses and damages including; pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage.

Common Car Accident Causes

As there are a plethora of car accidents in Ohio, there are typically many different car accident causes.  Depending on the situation, these accidents may be avoided; however in other situations the negligent actions of individuals may create unavoidable situations.

A few common causes of car accidents include:

Aggressive and Reckless Driving

Aggressive and reckless driving is one of the most common causes for car accidents on our roadways.  This is simply an action that in individual takes that is performed in blatant disregard to the safety of themselves and other drivers on the roadway.  A few behaviors these drivers may demonstrate include:

• Road rage
• Tailgating
• Disregard traffic signals
• Fail to yield right of way
• Frequent and unsafe lane changing

Animal Crossing

Animal crossing is common in rural areas, thus it is imperative to recognize that animals do not know the rules of the road and will not stop for upcoming vehicles.  In these areas a driver must pay full attention and be on the lookout for these animals.  It is a good idea to use high beams in these areas during night driving to spot the animals far away. Common animal crossings include:

• Deer
• Bear
• Boar

Bad Weather

Bad weather has been linked to many accidents due to its ability to greatly reduce visibility and create slippery road conditions.  During bad weather conditions it is important to leave space between your vehicle and the vehicle traveling in front of you, while also traveling at slower speeds. A few bad weather conditions in Ohio consist of the following:

• Heavy Rain
• Thunderstorms
• Hail
• Snowstorms
• Ice
• Windstorms
• Fog

Car Failure

Occasionally, car failure due to defective or malfunctioning parts will cause a car accident.  Thus, it is important to properly maintain your automobile and schedule regular maintenance throughout the year.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is another leading cause of car accidents in the United States. These drivers are defined as not paying attention to the road while driving by diverting their attention to something else. A few common causes of distracted driving include:

• Texting while driving
• Eating and/or drinking while driving
• Changing the radio
• Adjusting dials
• Interacting with passengers
• Interacting with pets

Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue typically occurs between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. Statistics show that nearly 56,000 fatigue related auto accidents occur across the nation each year, resulting in roughly 40,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities.  Some signs of driver fatigue include:

• Heavy eyelids
• Excessive yawning
• Varying vehicle speeds
• Misjudging traffic situations
• Drifting vehicles
• Feeling restless and irritable

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the leading causes of auto accidents, which can be avoided. These types of accidents can easily be avoided by simply using a designated driver or hiring a taxi.

Excessive Speeding

Excessive speeding accidents are also common and can be avoided by simply driving at slower speed limits.  Speeding increases the risk of becoming involved in an auto accident and substantially increases the chances of individuals involved in the accident to become injured.

Street Racing

Street racing occurs when individuals decide to race their street cars illegally on our roadways.  These actions are known to cause many more injuries and deaths than that of legally racing vehicles on a track, due to the safety precautions.  These types of races have become much more popular over the years and are known to cause accidents due to their high speeds of travel.

Contact An Experienced Ohio Attorney Today

At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, our Cincinnati auto accident attorneys believe that if you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for their losses and damages.  Our attorneys have obtained millions in successful verdicts and settlements for our clients and are prepared to represent you in the court of law.

With our primary offices located in Cincinnati and Columbus, we are licensed to serve the entire state of Ohio.

A few more locations we serve include:

To obtain more information about our Ohio auto accident attorneys, or to schedule a free no-obligation consultation, we welcome you to contact a personal injury attorney at (877) 288-3241 where you will be greeted by a member of our intake team.  Here they will collect information regarding your auto accident and quickly connect you with one of our helpful attorneys prepared to take your specific case.