1 Million Crashes Each Year. Who Is Causing All of These Car Accidents?

According to national statistics, the average person will have at least one car accident every 17 years. This comes out to three or four accidents in a person’s lifetime. Given that almost one million crashes are reported to police each year, that number should be no surprise. And with the number of car accidents increasing each year, those averages may increase, as well. The question many ask is, who is causing all of these vehicle crashes?

The following is a brief overview of the most common scenarios to lead to accidents. If you have been injured, call our office to speak with one of our Outer Banks car accident lawyers.

Types of Dangerous Drivers

Drunk Drivers

There are several types of drivers that we have all encountered at least one time or another. One of the most dangerous is the driver who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle after they have been drinking. Although statistics show that harsher DUI penalties and increased public awareness have helped decrease the number of drunk drivers, DUI accidents are still the number one cause of fatal car crashes. One-third of drivers arrested for DUI are repeat offenders. Although there is no way to avoid a drunk driver, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that the most dangerous time to be on the road is between midnight and 3 a.m. on the weekends. During this time, two out of every three fatal crashes are alcohol-related.

Distracted Driver

Another type of dangerous driver that is quickly catching up to drunk drivers in the number of crashes they cause is the distracted driver. Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in this country. Drivers are too busy looking at their smartphones, checking emails, text messages, or posting on social media. Even just talking on the phone can be a dangerous distraction. Studies show that when we are busy doing another activity while driving, it limits our focus on the road.

Speeding Driver

Approximately 35 percent of all fatal crashes are caused by speeding, and it is the second top cause of all vehicle accidents. Failure to adhere to the posted speed limit puts all drivers around you in danger, especially if you suddenly have to stop or slow down. Speeding is not only dangerous to other drivers, but it can also be deadly for pedestrians and cyclists.

Aggressive drivers and those who display road rage at other drivers are another leading cause of auto accidents. Statistics reveal that half of all road rage incidents are triggered because of the actions of a distracted driver. The second leading cause is when a road rage driver is cut off by another vehicle.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm for Legal Assistance

No matter how safely we drive, those statistics show that we will inevitably be involved in a crash. If you have been injured in a crash, contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to discuss what legal options you may have for the losses your injuries have caused you. Our Outer Banks car accident lawyers will work diligently to get you the financial compensation you deserve, like the $930,000 insurance settlement we obtained for one client who suffered neck and other injuries after another driver failed to yield at an intersection.