Many people who have been in an accident may wonder why it happened and what they could have done to prevent it. Accident causes vary widely.

Some accidents are attributable to driver conduct, and since individuals have control over their own behavior, these accidents might have been preventable. In other cases, circumstances beyond the driver’s immediate control were the principal reason a crash occurred.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers informative publications summarizing research about traffic accidents all over the country. This federal agency’s website provides a wealth of statistics and analysis.

Innocent people are often hurt because someone else failed to use good judgment. Careless drivers cause a great deal of pain, and accident victims can require extensive help to recover from injuries.

It is possible to obtain a judgment in court against a negligent driver. Payment may be available to cover medical and other costs.

Why Motor Vehicle Accidents Happen

Too often in accidents, someone does not follow plain common sense. Sometimes drivers are ignorant of the dangers of their behavior, but they can still be found negligent and liable for damages.

Everybody should be aware of these common causes for crashes and do what they can to avoid them.

Cell phone – distracted driving accident: Researchers have assembled alarming statistics about accidents involving cell phone use, especially texting. Lawmakers have responded in many states to ban or curtail cell phone use.
Dangerous roads: Road hazards may stem from poor design or inadequate infrastructure maintenance. Road construction and repair zones require extra attention from drivers. Heavy traffic and weather conditions enhance the dangers.
Distracted driving accident: Allowing distractions to divert a driver’s attention to the road is negligent behavior that can easily cause a dangerous accident. Cell phones are not the only source of deadly distraction.
Drunk driving accident: Drunk drivers kill about 10,000 people in the United States every year. There is talk of strengthening impaired driving laws to help control this persistent problem.
It’s true that some dangerous road conditions, like potholes, are not within a motorist’s control. However, drivers can take care of themselves, their passengers and other users of the road by always being alert for such hazards and being prepared to take evasive action.

Tackling Accident Causes

In the name of public safety, law enforcement agencies across the United States keep watch over our streets and highways. Police can’t be everywhere at once, though.

Police step up enforcement efforts to try to apprehend risky drivers before they can cause an accident. Education is also a focus, providing messages via a variety of media aimed at improving driver knowledge and behavior.

Besides these practices directly aimed at motorists, safety corridors are targeted for better coordinated emergency services to respond to accidents. Also, safety corridors receive some road improvements, like rumble strips and new striping.

Every accident on area roads leaves someone in pain. Some have been injured, and some have had the tragic experience of losing a loved one. These people need help, and help can be found with just a phone call.