There are many different causes of auto accidents, which are often divided into driver error, man-made road hazards, weather, and mechanical problems. An auto manufacturer or parts supplier may also be legally liable for an accident when the defective design or manufacture of a part directly results in the auto accident and associated injuries. In most cases, a driver is (or should be) held legally responsible for his/her negligence which resulted in an accident, and with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can receive full compensation for your injuries and losses.
Here are some common examples of mechanical problems in vehicles which can result in an accident:
- Brake/tire failures – Drivers must ensure that their tires are fully inflated and have proper traction, and worn-out brake pads or defective brake-line systems can also be dangerous, as they significantly reduce the driver’s ability to stop.
- Lighting system failures – Visibility is essential when driving in inclement weather, and drivers must ensure that all of their lights are working properly. Unfortunately, many drivers may not realize they have a lighting-defect until they are caught in poor weather conditions, so it’s important to check them regularly even when it isn’t absolutely necessary.
- Steering/suspension failures – Loss of steering control means lost control of the vehicle, which can be dangerous and even deadly if a driver careens into a fixed object or one or more vehicles.
Meanwhile, most “driver error” causes of accidents involve poor judgment or decision-making. Here are the most common types of driver error:
- Disregard for other vehicles – Many accidents result from a driver’s failure to check his/her blind spot or identify vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians who have the right-of-way in a given situation; these are particularly common at night and in poor weather conditions.
- Distracted driving – Distractions to drivers have always existed, but not to the extent that smartphones and similar devices have taken it today. Distraction by electronic devices while driving now results in serious and even fatal auto accidents on a daily basis and is a contributing factor in more auto accidents than ever before, and we strongly encourage all drivers to put their phones and other devices away when behind the wheel.
- Intoxicated driving – Intoxicated driving remains a problem, and drunk driving now results in as much as one-third of all auto-related deaths. These are very serious and preventable accidents and intoxicated drivers must be held accountable for the damages that result from their negligence.
- Speeding – Excessive speeding correlates strongly to the severity of injuries sustained in auto accidents, and it remains a common factor in auto accidents overall. It’s important for drivers to understand that speeding is ultimately ineffective for getting them to their destinations quicker, as violating speed-limits may only result in one or two minutes saved at most and is not worth the increased risk of an accident.
Man-made road hazards are another common cause of auto accidents, and these include:
- Inaccurate/incorrect road signage – Construction zones and one-way streets require proper signage so that drivers are moving in the right directions, and failure to do so can send drivers directly toward construction zones, workers, pedestrians, or oncoming vehicles.
- Defective traffic lights – A disabled or malfunctioning traffic light can significantly increase the risk of a serious accident, especially in dense and highly-populated areas and intersections.
- Large construction equipment – Construction equipment must always be out of the way of drivers on the road, and obstruction by a large piece of construction equipment, especially unexpectedly, can result in a serious accident with an oncoming vehicle.
- Poorly-maintained roads – Potholes, uneven pavement, and other hazards resulting from negligence can increase the risk of an accident, especially when a poorly-maintained road directly results in a vehicle-defect, such as a blown tire.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact 844 See Mike today for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based personal injury law firm, and helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will file your claim and take care of the insurance company, medical bills, property damage, and lost income. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, our personal injury lawyers are not paid attorney fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
