What Causes Most Car Accidents?

Car accidents are a major issue on Texas roadways. But what are most accidents caused by? Below, we look at what causes the most accidents in Texas.

What Is the Cause of Most Car Accidents?

What causes the most accidents while driving? Here are the seven most likely reasons for auto crashes in Texas.

Careless Driving

Are most car accidents caused by careless driving? The short answer is yes.

“Careless” driving means driving without showing proper care and attention. In other words, the driver is negligent. They do something – or fail to do something – but they’re not deliberately putting other road users at risk. Examples of careless driving include:

• Failing to use signals
• Improper lane changing 
• Lane drifting
• Parking errors 

Careless driving covers a huge range of accidents. It’s a leading cause of crashes.

If a driver knows their actions might put other road users at risk, this could be considered reckless driving. Reckless driving is more serious than careless driving, but our attorneys can help with both matters. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a major problem on Texas roadways. In fact, in 2021, almost one in five serious crashes in Texas involved a distracted driver. Distracted driving includes:

• Using a cellphone while driving 
• Watching a video
• Reading a book or newspaper
• Eating or drinking behind the wheel 

If someone is not concentrating on the road, they’re more likely to make a driver error.

Speeding

Not only should drivers obey speed limits, but they should drive at a safe speed for the road conditions. It’s really common, though, for drivers to exceed the speed limit. Here’s why this is a problem.

• Speeding makes it harder to react to hazards. 
• If someone’s speeding, their stopping time is reduced. 
• High-speed collisions can result in serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries. 

Driving Under the Influence

In Texas, one person dies every nine minutes due to a drunk or impaired driver. This is a hugely worrying statistic and it shows just how common driving under the influence is.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs reaction times. It increases fatigue and makes it more likely for someone to fall asleep behind the wheel. Drunk driving may lead to erratic maneuvers, running red lights, and even hitting pedestrians.

Driving under the influence may also result in criminal charges alongside any civil lawsuits.

Failing to Yield

Failing to yield means not yielding to the traffic with the right of way. This is common, for example, in parking lots and at busy junctions.

The problem is that failing to yield directly puts other drivers at risk. A failure to yield, or making improper turns, can cause crashes such as side-on collisions. These can be serious, especially if one car hits the driver side of another vehicle.

Aggressive Driving

Frustrated drivers may cut off other drivers, make aggressive turns, and fail to stop at red lights or stop signs. Any aggressive maneuver may cause a collision, especially in busy traffic or built-up areas.

Aggressive drivers may be more prone to road rage. If you’re in a crash with an aggressive driver and you feel unsafe, call the police immediately.

Tailgating

Drivers must maintain a reasonable stopping distance at all times. Tailgating means driving too close to the car in front. The driver at the back is the “tailgater”.

If a driver is too close, they don’t have the reaction time needed to stop safely. This increases the chance of colliding with another car, especially if road conditions are poor e.g. wet roadways.

In most cases, if there’s a crash and one driver was tailgating, the tailgater is to blame.

Other Causes of Car Accidents

Most accidents are caused, to some extent, by driver negligence. However, there are other causes. Less common – but significant – causes of car accidents include:

• Inexperienced drivers: New drivers may be more likely to make mistakes simply because they’re inexperienced. They might also underestimate the challenges of e.g. driving in heavy traffic or on busy freeways. 

• Evasive driving: Sometimes, swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle, or making an emergency stop, can actually cause a crash. In other words, the driver tries to avoid a crash but accidentally causes one instead. 

• Poorly designed roadways: Overly complex junctions, poorly designed sidewalks, and other design issues can cause accidents.  

• Defective vehicles: If a car part malfunctions e.g. a tire blows, you could lose control of the vehicle and crash. 

It might be possible to sue other parties, such as a car manufacturer, if you’re injured in an auto crash. Our experienced attorneys can determine who is responsible for your injuries and help you sue the right defendants.

What Happens if I’m in a Car Accident?

Car accidents are stressful – and often frightening – experiences. But if you’re involved in a road collision, it’s important that you know what to do. 

• First, assess yourself. If you’re seriously injured, call 911. If you can’t make the call yourself, try to flag down help. 
• Assess others around you. Call 911 if there are serious injuries or a fatality. 
• You don’t always need to report car accidents in Texas. However, it’s often a good idea to call the police anyway. They’ll attend the scene if necessary and they may provide an accident report. 
• Inspect the damage. If you’re well enough, and it’s safe to do so, take pictures or videos of the crash scene. You should also take pictures of your own injuries. 
• Exchange information with the other driver(s). If they flee the scene without exchanging information, call the police. 
• Seek medical attention, even if you don’t feel unwell. It’s always best to get checked out – some injuries take a while to manifest. 
• Contact a car accident attorney. They’ll explain how to make an insurance claim and whether you have a personal injury case.

Get Help with Your Car Accident Claim

If you’re hurt in a car accident in Texas, AK Law Firm can help. Our lawyers can help you get the compensation you’re entitled to for a traffic accident. We’ll get to work on your case right away and we don’t charge anything unless we win your case. 

AK Law Firm wants to help you get the justice you deserve. For a free case evaluation from our car accident attorneys, contact us now.