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Car Accident Lawyer San Antonio
Car Accidents
What are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents, and How Can You Stay Safe?
According to TxDOT reports, there were 4,489 deaths and 239,539 injuries on Texas roads in 2021. That death toll of 4,489 increased 15.22% from the 3,896 deaths recorded in 2020.
You might be entitled to financial compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident. At our Law Firm, we represent accident victims as they try to get back on their feet following a devastating crash. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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Speeding
In 2021, 1,522 Texans were killed due to speeding. Speeding is one of the easiest things to avoid, so it causes many traffic accident injuries.
Speeding is only one form of aggressive driving. According to a study by AAA, about 80% of drivers engage in aggressive driving at least once a year. Other forms of aggressive driving can contribute to car accidents, such as:
Tailgating
Swerving
Passing on the right-hand side
Passing without signaling
Refusing to yield the right of way
Running red lights
Brake checking
Some aggressive drivers are in the grips of road rage, which impairs their ability to make reasonable decisions. Look for drivers who shout profanity at you or make obscene gestures. You should give these drivers a wide berth and not escalate the situation by making eye contact or engaging in inappropriate behavior. More about our Car Accident Lawyer here
Alcohol
In 2021, there were 1,077 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes where a driver was under the influence of alcohol. This is 24.00% of the total number of people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. In addition, Texas saw 25,261 overall drunk driving-related traffic crashes in 2021 — an increase of 9% from the previous year.
Texas law limits the amount of alcohol that can be in your blood. According to Texas law, drivers 21 and older cannot have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. If the driver is under 21, they cannot have alcohol in their blood. Texas has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving. If you’re under 21, are asked to take a breath test, and blow anything over 0 (zilch, nada), then you’re probably looking at getting a driver’s license suspension at the very least.
Practicing effective defensive driving and avoiding accidents with intoxicated drivers is tough. Nevertheless, you can minimize your risks of a crash by following these simple tips:
*Avoid driving on days when you can anticipate many revelers are on the road. These holidays include Super Bowl Sunday, the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and St. Patrick’s Day.
*Minimize the amount of late-night driving that you do. More people drink in the evening than during the day, so it stands to reason more drunk drivers are on the road at night.
*Keep a safe distance between yourself and other cars to have enough time to react.
*Drive slightly on the right-hand side of your lane. Drunk drivers often drift into other lanes, so you give yourself a little extra room by being further to the right.
*Report suspicious driving to the authorities so that they can investigate.
*Model responsible driving for your family by never getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks.
Distracted Driving
Nationwide statistics confirm that distracted driving is a serious problem. According to government statistics, distracted drivers kill about nine people each day. Another 1,000 suffer an injury in an accident caused by distracted drivers. According to NHTSA, there were 36,096 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019, which represented a 2% decrease from 2018 fatalities of 36,835.
Distracted driving can take many forms, including:
Texting
Talking on the phone
Eating
Drinking
Reaching for something
Daydreaming
Falling asleep
Staring at the scenery
Arguing with someone in the car
Applying makeup
Drivers must always keep their eyes glued to the road, especially when traveling at high speeds. If you need to speak on the phone or eat something, remember to pull over to a rest stop or even onto the shoulder of the road so that you do not pose a risk to other drivers.
Malfunctioning Vehicles
Another potential cause of accidents is defective vehicles. When a vehicle malfunctions, a driver can quickly lose control of it. Common causes include:
*Defective tires that blow out
*Malfunctioning steering systems that cause drivers to lose control
*Brakes that fail
These defects can cause a car accident, leaving injured victims with devastating injuries. In these cases, the driver probably did nothing wrong. Instead, the vehicle itself is to blame for the accident. To ensure your vehicle is tip-top, create a maintenance schedule and stick to it. You should also check the most recent car recalls on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. To check whether your vehicle has been recalled, you can search by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which you can find on your registration or on the car itself (look on the dashboard). You can also subscribe to a notification system by providing your email.
Speak with our Car Accident Lawyer Today
Injured motorists and their families need compensation to pay for medical expenses, replace lost wages, and repair their vehicles. If someone else is responsible for the crash, you can seek a settlement from their insurer.
At our Law Firm, our team of talented car accident lawyers has represented injured motorists like you for decades. Our client-centered approach has yielded impressive results for our clients. Fortunately, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. To start the process of seeking total compensation for your injuries, contact us today for your free, no-strings consultation. There is never any cost to you until we win compensation
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