Did you know that 6 million car accidents happen every year? Sadly, about 3 million people experience injuries and 90 people die every day due to car accidents.
Have you had a car accident? Were you injured? If so, were you able to receive the medical care needed?
There are many causes of accidents. Keep reading to learn about the top causes of car accidents.
1. Speeding Is One of the Top Causes of Accidents
Driving above the speed limit is one of the most common reasons for car accidents. Nearly 30% of accidents occurred while the driver was speeding. Between 2006 and 2015, 108,554 accidents resulted from speeding.
2. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
In the United States, 29 people die in accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver every day. This translates to one death every 50 minutes. Over the past decade, approximately 113,000 people have died due to drunk driving.
Alcohol-impaired driving results in an annual cost of more than $44 billion.
3. Distracted Driving
The National Traffic Safety Administration defines distraction as anything that causes the driver’s attention to be drawn away from driving. This can include:
- Talking on a cell phone
- Texting
- Interacting with social media
- Eating
- Talking with other people in the car
- Changing the heat or air conditioning
- Adjusting the radio
Between 2010 and 2014, the number of MVAs due to drivers using cell phones has increased by almost 38%. This problem is not limited to teenagers. This issue involves people of all age groups.
4. Bad Weather
Weather-related accidents happen while driving in hazardous conditions such as rain, snow, ice, and fog. It’s understood by most drivers that bad weather increases the danger when driving.
Yet, statistics have shown that between 2005 and 2015, 1,258,978 accidents occurred during adverse weather. This translates to 22% of all car accidents during this 10 year time period.
5. Running Red Lights
In 2015, 50 more people died due to drivers running red lights than in 2011. These cost communities about $336 million. Fatal red-light related accidents occur more often on urban roads. They occur slightly more often during the daytime.
Between 2010 to 2014, an average of 705 people were killed in accidents due to drivers running a red light.
6. Drowsy Drivers
Many drivers experience fatigue while driving. Between 2005 and 2009, this caused about 1.4% of all motor vehicle accidents. This represents 5,895,000 accidents in that 5-year period.
These figures have remained consistent throughout the years. The average has continued at a rate of 1,004 fatalities every year.
Consequences of Car Accidents
Car accidents prove costly economically and physically. Statistics show that males are involved in MVAs more often than females.
This high incidence of car accidents has led to an increased need for accident doctors. They not only provide treatment for injuries but also insurance assistance.
Many Car Accidents Can Be Prevented
Many MVAs could be prevented. Raising the public’s awareness of the most common causes of MVAs aim to change dangerous habits.
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