There were 5.3 million automobile accidents in the United States in 2011, resulting in nearly 3 million injuries and 33,000 deaths. Every one of those wrecks was unique. They involved different people, different circumstances, and different outcomes. Most of them are caused by human error. In fact, about 94% of all road accidents are caused by human error.
But most of them shared something in common: They were caused by some sort of driver error, such as speeding, texting while driving, or running a red light.
Listed below are some of the causes of car accidents in South Carolina.
- Distracted driving: Driving while talking on a cell phone or texting behind the wheel has been called a deadly epidemic by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Close to 20 percent of fatal crashes and near-misses involve some form of driver distraction, according to a study at Virginia Tech. Cell phones are the main culprits, but any behavior that takes your eyes off the road can be a distraction.
- Speeding: Speed kills, and the numbers prove it. Almost one out of every three accidents is the result of driving too fast, according to NHTSA. And it doesn’t take driving 100 mph to invite danger. Driving only slightly over the posted limit increases the risk of a crash. In fact, even driving at the speed limit can be dangerous in adverse road or weather conditions.
- Reckless driving: Driving aggressively or without regard for the safety of others is a prescription for disaster. Examples include sudden braking, dangerous passing maneuvers, weaving in and out of traffic, driving without headlights and road rage.
- Running a red light: Each year, hundreds of thousands of wrecks are caused by drivers who run red lights. Almost half of these crashes produce some degree of injury.
- Running a stop sign: Many stop sign accidents happen because drivers are impatient and in a hurry. Some come to so-called “rolling stops,” while others blow through the intersection without even slowing down. Such careless conduct kills and injures innocent people each year.
- Teenage drivers: Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in this country, accounting for more than 1 in 3 teen deaths. Young drivers are four times more likely to get into a car accident than older motorists.
- Unsafe lane changes: It is dangerous for a driver to change lanes too suddenly or without signaling. Bad weather and slick roads also contribute to unsafe lane shifts.
- Tailgating: Following another car too closely is a leading cause of rear-end collisions. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least 2 to 3 seconds between vehicles. This allows sufficient time to brake or respond properly to an emergency situation. Tailgating is often a form of aggressive driving.
- Drowsy driving: We live in a nation of sleep-deprived citizens. Sixty percent of adult drivers – about 168 million people – say they have driven while feeling sleepy in the past year, according to the National Sleep Foundation. More than one-third admit to having actually nodded off behind the wheel.
- Drunk driving: Each year, innocent people are killed and injured by those who drive after drinking or using drugs. In 2011, alcohol was a factor in one out of every three fatal collisions. More than 10,000 families lost a loved one because of a drunk driver.
Get a South Carolina Car Crash Lawyer On Your Side
If you have been in an automobile accident – regardless of the cause and fault. If the accident was caused by the other driver or caused by an medical emergency – was you are eligible for a free case review with a South Carolina car accident attorney.
Joye Law Firm has been helping car crash victims and their families since 1968. We can help you today. Call Joye Law Firm. The call is free, confidential and comes with no obligation.
Call us now at (888) 324-3100 or use this online contact form.
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Testimonials
I am extremely satisfied with my Joye Law Firm legal team. My team has helped me understand the unfamiliar process after an automobile accident. My Lawyer was particularly adept at assisting me with obtaining beneficial physical therapy for my painful injuries while dealing with the COVID crisis. I liked the ability to text information back and forth to keep everyone aware of any additional information.
Review by: Theodore Pstrak, Jr
Reviewing: Car Accident Legal Services<
Date published: 09/16/2020
Rating: ★★★★★ 5 / 5 stars
