REASONS FOR CAR ACCIDENTS
Car accidents happen every day. They are a common and tragic occurrence, particularly when one happens to you or someone you love.
In a single year, 32,719 people died and 2.3 million people were injured in 5.7 million car accidents, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In South Carolina alone, an average of 767 people die in car crashes, and thousands more are injured. The question is “why?” We, as drivers, know that a distraction of any kind can be lethal, so “why” is it happening so frequently?
Car accidents happen for many reasons, nearly all of which are due to negligence on the part of someone and it is often the other driver.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,179 lives in 2014 alone. NHTSA has been leading the effort to stop texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. South Carolina held distracted driving summits, banned texting and cell phone use for commercial drivers, encouraged states to adopt tough laws, and launched an annual public awareness campaign to curb this epidemic.
2. Drunk Driving
According to the NHTSA, 28 people die per day in an alcohol-related vehicle accident. In other words, one person dies every 53 minutes. While drunk driving fatalities have fallen by a third in South Carolina over the past the last three decades, the chance of being in an alcohol-impaired crash is one in three over the course of your lifetime. These deaths and damages contribute to a cost of $52B per year.
3. Reckless Driving
The State of South Carolina defines reckless driving under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2920 as:
…relates to any person driving any vehicle in such a manner to indicate a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
Recklessness implies that the driver knowingly operated the vehicle in a negligent manner and the conscious failure to exercise due care. When a person acts knowingly in a negligent manner, the law defines it as reckless.
4. Tailgating
Following another car too closely is a form of aggressive driving and is a leading cause of rear-end collisions. It is good practice to leave enough space, at least 2 to 3 seconds, between vehicles to allow enough time to brake or respond to a sudden change ahead. Bad weather and heavy traffic may require further following distances.
5. Teen Drivers
While this may come as no surprise, teen drivers have the most accidents. The crash rate per mile driven-mile for teen drivers is three times that of drivers age 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Some 2,524 teenagers died in car accidents in 2013.
6. Failure to Yield Right-of-Way
Aggressive lane changes, running a red light or a stop sign, or coming to a “rolling stop” can and do lead to accidents. Almost half of the accidents involving running a red light result in injuries.
Should you be the victim of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your serious injuries. The car accident attorneys at the Lewis Law Firm have years of experience in helping clients during this difficult time. We will get you the compensation you deserve and you can focus on your recuperation.