Why Do Car Wrecks Occur?

By Author: Tom B
Total Articles: 7
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Car Accidents

Perhaps the largest myth about car accidents is that they're accidents. The term accident means that there is no cause, but when cars crash there is almost always a cause. So most accidents aren't actually accidents, but rather collisions. Someone or something is at fault for the collision and because of this it's a smart idea to speak with a personal injury attorney if you've been involved in a car collision to keep your rights protected.

Causes of Car Collisions

There are four main factors that play into any car collision. In order from least common to most common they are; equipment failure, roadway design, poor roadway maintenance, and driver behavior. In over 95% of collisions driver behavior is involved. This means that in most cases a collision is preventable by the drivers involved.

Equipment Failure

Common equipment failure takes the form of; brake loss, tire blowout or tread separation, and steering/suspension failure. All cars are tested and meet a minimum safety standard but there is still a chance that something can malfunction. Cars today use anti-lock braking systems. ...
... This new technology is much more effective than older drum brake systems. Past collisions that could not be avoided can now be prevented because of these new anti-lock brake systems which, as the name implies, prevent wheels from locking up during emergency braking maneuvers and help to prevent any sort of skidding. In addition, tires are much safer than they were many years ago, however they still need attention. The most common cause of tire failure is under-inflation. The next most common factor is old, uneven, worn out tires. Drivers need to be sure that their tires are in good condition and all you really need to do is have your mechanic check them when you are getting an oil change. Steering & Suspension failures are catastrophic. There is nothing that a driver can do when presented with this type of equipment failure. Steering & Suspension should be checked by a certified mechanic about every 10,000 miles.

Roadway Design

Roadway design does not often factor into traffic collisions. For many years there have been many consultants and companies working on roadway design to ensure that they are all built safely. State and Federal government even provide construction guidelines to ensure safety. Additionally they give those guidelines enough flexibility for local conditions. Engineers design roadways with consideration for many elements including; hazard visibility, roadway surfaces, traffic control devices, behavioral control devices, traffic flow, roadway identification signs, and even weather. Safety is the main concern in roadway design and unsafe design is rarely a cause of collisions.

Poor Maintenance

Roadways are generally well maintained, but that is not always the case. When driving on a road that is poorly maintained driver behavior becomes key to preventing collisions. Some roadway maintenance shortcomings that drivers should be aware of are; roadway debris, faded road signs, potholes, roadway construction, and salting/sanding of roadways.

Driver Behavior

It is human nature to place blame on someone other than yourself. There have been studies that have shown that up to 80% of drivers involved in collisions do not believe that they were the cause of the collision while as little as 5% would admit that they were at fault. Most people consider themselves to be a better driver than the average driver, but everyone can become distracted whether it be a cell phone call, a spilled beverage, or even changing the radio station. The most dangerous of all driver behaviors is speeding. Traffic engineers who design the roads calculate what is the maximum speed that will still allow vehicles to travel safely. Traveling even 5 mph faster than the speed limit can greatly increase your risk of injury. The other driver behavior that results in many collisions is aggressive driving. Aggressive driving is characterized by excessive speeding, frequent or unsafe lane changing, failure to signal, failure to yield the right of way, disregarding traffic controls such as stop lights and stop signs, and impaired driving.

Car accidents, collisions, and crashes always have a cause. If you have been involved in a car accident then you will want to have your rights protected. If you suffer any personal injury you will need to deal with your insurance company to have medical bills and car repair bills paid. This can be a stressful and frustrating process to take care of on your own and you likely will not receive a settlement as large as you deserve. It is always a good idea to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can make sure that your rights are protected and who will fight to make sure that your are compensated to the fullest extent that you should be.