Motor vehicle accidents can leave you feeling alone, frustrated and unsure of what to do next. Accidents are terrifying to experience. In the moment, you may not have been able to see how the car accident was about to happen. Unfortunately, crashes are often caused by the careless behavior of other drivers. By exercising a little caution, you can do your part to prevent accidents.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
There are many ways a careless driver, car manufacturer or other party can cause an accident, such as:
- Distracted driving. Texting, putting on makeup and arguing with passengers are just a few of the things that can take your hands, eyes and mind away from the task of driving.
- Speeding. Speed is a common factor in many car accidents. Speeding is always dangerous, and it is particularly hazardous in the snow, high winds, rain and other adverse weather conditions. Speeding is also extremely unsafe in work zones – not only for you and other drivers, but for the workers on the roadway.
- Drowsy driving. Though it may seem innocuous, fatigue impacts your concentration, judgment and reaction time. Not only that, nodding off is not uncommon among severely drowsy drivers.
- Damaged or defective roadways. Roads that are improperly maintained may have large holes, uneven pavement, obstructing objects or other problems that increase the risk of an auto accident. There are also cases in which roads that were poorly designed or poorly built caused accidents. Inadequate signage or warnings can also be a contributing factor in crashes.
- Defective vehicles. Automobiles are sometimes defectively designed or manufactured. The result can be safety features or mechanical parts that do not work. Recent cases of faulty ignition switches that led to accidents are an example of such defects.
When you are injured in an accident that was not your fault, you deserve maximum compensation.
Tips for Preventing Motor Vehicle Crashes
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent the actions of careless drivers. But you can reduce your risk of getting in an accident by managing those factors that are within your ability to control:
- Reduce or eliminate distractions
- Don’t drive drunk
- Don’t drive drowsy
- Avoid nighttime driving, when possible
- Perform scheduled maintenance on your vehicle
All drivers should remind themselves of these safety tips. If you are a parent wondering how you can prevent car accidents among teenagers, educating them on the pointers above is a good place to start. But adults are responsible for many of the catastrophic accidents in Arkansas every day. We can all do our part to prevent tragic accidents.
If you are searching for an experienced and knowledgeable car accident attorney in Arkansas, please call Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers at (888) 220-7068, for a free case evaluation.
