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reckless driving

3 Common Causes of Car Accidents That Are Avoidable

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The majority of car crashes are caused by dangerous driving behaviors that are avoidable. Here are some common causes and what you can do to protect yourself.

drinking alcohol before driving

Drunk driving results in thousands of fatalities each year.

According to the Insurance Research Council, over 5.6 million car accidents were reported in 2013. 1,591,000 of these crashes caused personal injury, and 32,719 persons died because of their injuries. The majority of car crashes are caused by dangerous driving behaviors that are avoidable. We can always be responsible for ourselves, but we cannot control other drivers and their choices. Avoid a car accident with a reckless driver by becoming a defensive driver.

Drunk Driving

Drinking and driving kills. Nearly a third of all car accident fatalities are caused by drunk driving. However, you can take certain steps to minimize the risk of a car accident with a drunk driver.

  • Avoid late-night driving.
  • Avoid driving on “drinking holidays,” for example, the 4th of July, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
  • Drive on the right side of your lane.
  • Report suspicious driving behavior immediately.

Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving is just as deadly as driving under the influence. 21% of car accident fatalities involve a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, and one in third Americans surveyed admit to driving while excessively tired. Follow the following tips to keep you and your family safe:

  • Get adequate sleep.
  • When on a road trip, take necessary breaks.
  • Pull over and take a power nap.
  • Avoid alcohol and medications that cause sleepiness.
  • Drink caffeine.

Reckless Drivers

Reckless drivers blatantly disregard the rules of the road and will often misjudge common driving situations, leading to accidents. Another third of car accident fatalities are caused by speeding, a form of reckless driving. Other forms of reckless driving include:

  • running red lights or stop signs
  • tailgating
  • weaving through traffic
  • illegal passing
  • ignoring traffic signs and signals

St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

The majority of car accidents are preventable. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when you get behind the wheel that all drivers on the road will behave responsibly. If a negligent driver has injured you or a loved one, call a St. Louis car accident attorney to protect your legal rights. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.

The Most Common Types of Reckless Driving

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An excellent way to lessen your chances of being involved in an auto accident is avoiding these reckless habits.

Reckless driving is a blanket term that covers a broad range of risky behaviors. An excellent way to lessen your chances of being involved in an auto accident is cutting down on these reckless habits. Below, we present some of the most common mistakes people make on the road and explain why avoiding them is in your best interest.

Speeding

Speed limits are not arbitrary. Instead, traffic safety experts choose them based on the nature of the road. The result is that it is always smarter to stay at the speed limit or slightly underneath it. People that choose to go faster get into more accidents, and because the speed is higher, those accidents tend to be more damaging.

Following too Closely

Another common mistake is following too closely, which many people call “tailgating.” What you can do to avoid this error is to make sure your following distance is at least 3 seconds. You can do so by choosing a stationary object on the side of the road, starting to count when the car in front of you passes it and stopping your timer when you reach the object.

Running Through Intersections

Whether it is a stop sign or a red light, running through an intersection is one of the most dangerous things you can do. The reason is that it so often leads to T-bone collisions, which are frequently deadly. You can avoid this mistake by making complete stops at signs and adhering to traffic lights.

Not Using Turn Signals

One of the primary causes of accidents is the lack of communication. The reason is that you cannot tell other drivers what you’re about the do. Fortunately, you do have your turn signals, which can indicate your next move. An excellent way to stay safe is by using them whenever it is appropriate.

Improper Merging

When merging into traffic, be sure to keep your speed up and try to fit seamlessly into the line of cars. Alternatively, when someone is trying to merge into your lane, try and be polite by letting them in. Doing so will increase your safety and make traffic flow better.

Unsafe Lane Change

Many people change lanes in an unsafe way. You can avoid this mistake by following a few simple guidelines. They include using your turn signal, checking your blind spots, and making sure there is ample room for you to move into the other lane.

Being Too Aggressive

A common mistake is getting angry on the road. The result is excessive honking, cutting people off, tailgating, and more. If you want to stay safe, you must resist these feelings and try to remain calm.

Speak With an Attorney

Eliminating your reckless driving habits is one of the best ways to make yourself safer on the road. That being said, you cannot rely on other drivers to do the same. If you find yourself involved in an auto accident with some who was driving recklessly, get in touch with a St. Louis auto accident lawyer 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE consultation.

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