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- Most car accidents are caused by preventable behaviors such as distraction, speeding, or impaired driving.
- Identifying the cause of a crash is essential for determining fault and legal responsibility.
- Many crashes involve negligence, which may allow injured victims to pursue compensation for their losses.
- Legal guidance can help protect your rights when fault is disputed or insurance companies attempt to minimize claims.
Table Of Contents
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding and Reckless Driving
- Impaired Driving Accidents Involving Alcohol, Drugs, and Prescription Medications
- Fatigued or Drowsy Driving
- Poor Weather and Hazardous Road Conditions
- Mechanical Failures and Vehicle Maintenance Issues
- Inexperienced or Unlicensed Drivers
- How Negligence Determines Fault in Car Accident Claims
- How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Crash
Understanding why car accidents happen is often the first step in determining who was responsible and whether negligence played a role. Many motor vehicle crashes are caused by preventable driver behaviors, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving while impaired. When drivers fail to follow traffic laws or exercise reasonable care, their actions can put everyone on the road at risk.
According to national roadway safety data, tens of thousands of people are killed each year in preventable crashes, and millions more suffer serious injuries that disrupt their lives. While safety trends fluctuate year to year, more than 100 people still lose their lives on U.S. roads every day.
Knowing the most common causes of car accidents can help drivers recognize dangerous behaviors, avoid preventable risks, and, in the event of a crash, understand how fault is determined. The car accident lawyers at NST Law Injury Attorneys have decades of experience investigating crashes, identifying negligence, and helping injured people pursue justice under the law.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents because it only takes a moment for a driver to lose focus and miss critical hazards. At highway speeds, a vehicle can travel the length of a football field in just a few seconds, making even brief distractions extremely dangerous.
Drivers may become distracted by texting, checking a phone, eating, adjusting controls, talking to passengers, or simply daydreaming. Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or attention off the road reduces reaction time and awareness. In many cases, distracted driving is proven through phone records, witness statements, dashcam footage, or evidence from crash reconstruction.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding and reckless driving significantly increase both the likelihood and severity of car accidents. When drivers travel at excessive speeds, they have less time to react, need more distance to stop, and are more likely to lose control of their vehicle. Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, weaving between lanes, or running red lights further increase the risk of serious collisions.
High-speed crashes often result in more severe injuries because the force of impact is greater. In many cases, speeding or reckless driving is a clear indicator of negligence and can play a major role in determining liability after a crash.
Impaired Driving Accidents Involving Alcohol, Drugs, and Prescription Medications
Driving while impaired remains one of the most dangerous causes of car accidents. Alcohol, illegal drugs, and certain prescription medications can slow reaction times, impair judgment, and reduce coordination, greatly increasing the risk of serious or fatal crashes. National safety data consistently shows that impaired driving contributes to a significant portion of traffic-related fatalities each year.
Prescription medications, including opioids, sleep aids, and anxiety medications, can also impair driving ability, especially when combined with alcohol. Even legally prescribed drugs may make a driver drowsy or less alert. When a driver chooses to operate a vehicle while drunk or otherwise impaired, that decision may constitute negligence and expose them to legal responsibility for resulting injuries.
Fatigued or Drowsy Driving
Driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Drowsy drivers experience slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and an increased risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, even for a few seconds.
Drivers who travel long distances without breaks, work extended shifts, or drive late at night face higher risks of fatigue-related crashes. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, or chronic sleep deprivation can further increase the danger. Evidence such as work schedules, driving logs, or phone data may be used to establish fatigue in accident investigations.
Poor Weather and Hazardous Road Conditions
Weather conditions can increase the risk of car accidents by reducing visibility and making roads slippery. Rain, fog, snow, and ice can make it harder to stop or maintain control of a vehicle. Drivers are expected to adjust their speed and driving behavior to match road conditions, and failing to do so may constitute negligence.
Hazardous road conditions, such as potholes, collapsing shoulders, or poorly marked construction zones, can also contribute to accidents. In limited situations, a government entity or contractor may be liable if it failed to properly maintain the roadway or address known hazards. However, determining liability in these cases often requires a detailed investigation.
Mechanical Failures and Vehicle Maintenance Issues
Mechanical failures and vehicle maintenance issues can also contribute to serious accidents. Blown tires, faulty brakes, malfunctioning lights, or steering defects may cause a driver to lose control. Some failures result from poor maintenance, while others may stem from defective parts or manufacturing errors.
In certain cases, liability may extend beyond the driver to include a vehicle manufacturer, maintenance provider, or parts supplier. Accidents involving self-driving cars can further complicate liability, requiring careful analysis of software systems, driver behavior, and product design.
Inexperienced or Unlicensed Drivers
Inexperienced drivers, particularly new or young drivers, may lack the judgment and skills needed to respond safely to changing road conditions. Common mistakes include misjudging distances, braking suddenly, failing to check blind spots, or overcorrecting during emergencies.
Unlicensed drivers often lack proper training or may be driving illegally after a license suspension or revocation. Operating a vehicle without a valid license can strengthen a negligence claim and impact how fault is assigned after an accident.
How Negligence Determines Fault in Car Accident Claims
Determining whether the other driver was at fault in a car accident often comes down to whether negligence occurred. Negligence is the failure to act with the level of care a reasonable person would use under similar circumstances. Many common causes of car accidents—such as speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving—are clear examples of negligent behavior.
Establishing negligence typically involves reviewing evidence such as police reports, witness statements, vehicle damage, surveillance footage, and expert analysis. In states that follow comparative fault rules, a driver’s share of responsibility can directly affect the amount of compensation available. Identifying the true cause of the crash is essential for protecting your legal rights.
What to Do If Another Driver’s Negligence Caused Your Car Accident
If you believe your car accident was a result of another driver’s negligence, collect as much evidence as possible and get medical care. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident, and keep all documentation from your appointment and any follow-ups.
After a car accident, you should take photos of all the vehicles involved and the scene of the crash, and exchange information with the other driver. When you speak with the other driver or your insurance company, do not apologize or say anything that could be considered admitting fault.
Hiring an attorney after a car accident can be incredibly helpful, as they can provide you with guidance on how to speak with insurers and handle the more complicated elements of the legal process on your behalf—giving you the peace of mind to recover. NST Law offers free case evaluations to help you understand your rights and guide you on the next steps.
How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Crash
Our experienced car accident attorneys help injured victims hold negligent parties accountable. Guided by the Six Pillars of NST Law, we focus on clear communication, accessibility, and personalized representation while working to recover full and fair compensation for our clients. You can hear what our past clients say about our approach and results through their testimonials.
We are passionate about our clients and the communities we serve. Our team prepares every case as if it’s headed for trial, working tirelessly to help you secure a fair settlement. Every consultation is free, and you won’t pay any fees unless we successfully resolve your case.
If you were injured in a car accident, contact NST Law today for a free consultation or call (800) 529-4004.
