Being involved in Duluth Car Accident can be a frightening experience. Not only do you have to worry about potential injuries, but also medical bills and lost wages.
One of the leading causes of car accidents is driver error. From texting while driving to switching lanes too quickly, these types of actions can lead to deadly car accidents.
1. Driver Error
Car accidents are a part of life and can range from minor fender-benders to fatal collisions. While safety features on vehicles have improved over the years, human error is still a significant contributing factor in car accidents.
Driver errors are broken down into two types: decision errors and performance errors. Decision errors are mistakes made when a driver recognizes a dangerous situation but chooses the wrong action or inaction. Examples of this include running a red light, driving too fast for the current road conditions or ignoring a warning sign.
Performance errors are the physical mistakes a driver makes while behind the wheel. These can include everything from falling asleep at the wheel to failing to properly maneuver a turn or curve on the road. Some common mistakes that lead to car accidents include:
Internal and external distractions are the leading cause of distracted driving crashes. This can include things like talking on the phone, texting, daydreaming, and singing along to music while driving. Other factors that lead to driver error include not wearing seat belts, eating or drinking while driving, and adjusting controls on the vehicle without proper safety precautions.
Aggressive and reckless driving can also be dangerous for drivers and others on the road. These behaviors include speeding, changing lanes too quickly, failing to use rear turning signals, tailgating and more.
Weather conditions can also play a role in car accidents. Rainy or snowy weather can make the roads slick and difficult to drive on. Drivers should always pay attention to the road and slow down if they are in bad weather. If a driver fails to take these steps and causes a crash, they may be responsible for paying for the damages of those injured in the accident.
2. Poor Road Conditions
Even the most careful drivers can be involved in a car accident when road conditions are unsafe. Unsafe road conditions can include anything from potholes and major cracks to lack of lighting or inadequate signage. When these issues cause an accident, victims may be eligible for compensation.
Government agencies that oversee road maintenance and design may be liable for accidents caused by poor conditions on roadways under their control. Cities and states must ensure that roads are maintained properly, which includes keeping up with repairs and maintaining appropriate levels of lighting and signage. If a roadway defect causes a crash, the government agency in charge of that road must take steps to repair the problem. This includes ensuring that signs are clearly visible and that warnings about construction zones or other hazards are placed appropriately.
Other potential road defects that can lead to car accidents include improper guardrails, narrow lanes and confusing intersections. These factors increase the risk of collisions, especially at night or during bad weather.
In addition to causing serious injuries, car accidents caused by poor road conditions can be very expensive to resolve. Victims can face hospital bills, lost wages, medical treatment and ongoing rehabilitation expenses that can strain any family’s finances.
In cases involving dangerous road conditions, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for the accident. If a private road was in question, then finding the person or company that owns the roadway could be straightforward. However, most roads are under the responsibility of a city, county or state government entity. In these instances, proving negligence can be more challenging as the law protects government entities from personal injury claims when they are acting in their official capacity.
3. Faulty Vehicles
Even though modern cars have become a lot safer, they are still mechanical in nature and can breakdown if not properly cared for. When a vehicle malfunctions, it can cause an accident that leads to serious injuries. This can happen if a key safety component, such as the brakes or airbag, is defective or fails to operate as designed.
These car accidents are known as defect-related crashes and can be extremely dangerous for those involved. If you are injured in a crash that you suspect may be the result of a faulty car part, you should speak to an attorney immediately. You could file a claim against the manufacturer or other parties that could be held responsible, including the dealership that sold you the car and/or the mechanic who worked on it.
A rear-end collision is a common type of car accident that occurs when a driver slams on their brakes to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of them, but loses control and slams into the back of the vehicle in front of them. These crashes typically occur at high traffic volume times, such as rush hour or when a driver is following too closely.
Head-on collisions are one of the most serious types of car accidents and often result in severe injuries and fatalities. They usually occur when two vehicles driving in opposite directions collide with each other, and are most likely to be caused by intoxicated or distracted driving, fatigued driving, road conditions and reckless driving.
When a vehicle accident involves a head-on collision, it can be very difficult to determine who is at fault. This is because both vehicles have a very strong impact on each other and it can be challenging to tell which vehicle came into contact with the head-on collision first. This is why it is important to seek the help of an experienced accident lawyer as soon as possible.
4. Vehicle Defects
A vehicle can be faulty in several ways and, even if the driver is doing everything right, they may lose control of their car and crash as a result of a mechanical failure. Whether it is from poor maintenance or a design defect, any of these issues could lead to serious injuries or death.
While automobile safety has improved significantly over the last few decades, there is still a substantial number of car accidents due to defective vehicles and parts. Sadly, car manufacturers often rush production and cut corners to meet deadlines, which can end up costing the lives of consumers. This is evident by the number of recalls that have occurred in recent years.
These defects can be anything from faulty airbags that deploy too early or with too much force to faulty tires that can cause you to lose control of your car. They can also include ignition and fuel system defects that can result in a fire that causes burn injuries after a crash.
Luckily, you can help prevent mechanical failures by regularly performing maintenance on your car and getting it in for regular inspections. However, if you suffer an accident from a manufacturing defect or any other type of car problem, it is important to have documentation from a New York mechanic that proves the cause of your accident.
When a vehicle has a defect, the manufacturer or the company that installed the part may be liable for your damages. Our team of lawyers at Buttafuoco & Associates has the experience and resources to take on large auto manufacturers and their insurers to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
5. Other Factors
Car accidents are often caused by external factors that are not related to driver error, such as bad weather or road conditions. These external factors can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle or fail to see a hazard in time to avoid it.
These factors can include a variety of things, such as the physical condition of the roadway, weather conditions and even the mechanical performance of a car’s brakes and tires. It is not possible to account for every possibility that could have contributed to an accident, but having a general understanding of the most common causes can help if you are involved in a crash or considering making a car accident injury claim.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Whether it’s sending a text, talking on the phone or eating a snack, distraction causes your brain to switch between tasks, making you less able to consistently focus on the road ahead of you.
Speeding is another common cause of car accidents. Whether they are running late for work, trying to keep up with traffic or simply enjoying the feeling of being behind the wheel, many drivers forget how dangerous it is to drive above the speed limit.
Other forms of reckless driving, including tailgating and switching lanes without a signal, also contribute to a large number of accidents. Then there is the dangerous combination of alcohol and drugs, both legal and illegal. Having even one drink can impair your ability to react quickly enough if the driver in front of you suddenly brakes. This can lead to a deadly rear-end collision. It is never okay to drink and drive.