What Are the Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Wherever there are motor vehicles and highways, there are accidents. These collisions can be caused by varying factors and can occur on any roadway. When people learn the various causes of motor vehicle accidents, they can become more aware of their driving habits and, thus, are more likely to avoid a collision.
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Driver Behavior
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Speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving (such as driving too fast for conditions), anger and aggressive driving, and inattention account for most motor vehicle accidents.
Cell Phone Usage
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When you drive and talk on a cellular phone, your attention is divided between your driving and the party to whom you're speaking. Thus, you are more prone to hit, or be hit by, another vehicle.
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Weather
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Vision is often impaired when a person drives through heavy rains or fog. A thin coating of ice can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. A snow accumulation on roads can not only make roads hard to negotiate but also can hide curbs, medians and signs. In all these cases, accidents are more likely to occur.
Equipment Failure
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Though the most common cases of accidents directly caused by equipment failure involve loss of brakes, tire blowouts and steering or suspension failure, the mere sound of a faulty piece of equipment can distract the driver and cause an accident.
Roadway Hazards
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Intersections, merging lanes and curves or hills are permanent hazards that can contribute to accidents. Other hazards such as road construction, potholes, various debris in driving lanes, vehicles parked on roadsides and traffic jams can also be factors in motor accidents. In many suburban and rural areas, animals such as dogs or deer can run into or block the road, causing motorists to swerve and become more vulnerable to collision.
Considerations
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In most states, it is mandatory that you carry insurance on your vehicle in the event of an accident. While you can control being the cause of an accident, by obeying your state's highway laws and using common sense, there is no guarantee that you will not be involved in a collision caused by another driver. Thus, you should either be knowledgeable of attorneys who specialize in collision law or have one on retainer in the event he or she is needed.
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