The most common personal injury claims the attorneys at Injuredct.com handle for Connecticut residents are those involving motor vehicle accidents.
In 2021, there were approximately 102,000 reported car accidents in Connecticut. 314 of those accidents included a fatality.
The Most Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Connecticut
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Speeding Kills
Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and accidents involving pedestrians all have one thing in common – Speeding kills. In fact, speeding is the overwhelming number one cause of motor vehicle accidents in Connecticut.
It is also one of the leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities. According to the NHTSA, 26% of all road deaths in 2019 were caused by speeding. The reasons why speeding is so dangerous are likely obvious.
First, the faster the motor vehicle, the greater the force at impact with any other object. Second, speeding reduces reaction time. The faster one is going in a motor vehicle, the less time the operator has to react to an object, like a pedestrian or another car, that is in the way.
Speeding By the Numbers
When setting speed limits, road traffic, hazards, people, and how the road is used are all considered. The faster you go, the more likely it is that you will die in a crash. The IIHS says that for every 10 mph over 50 mph, the chance of a serious injury or death for people in a car doubles.
Also, the World Health Organization says that if the average speed goes up by 1%, the chance of a fatal crash goes up by 4%. Higher speeds give drivers less time to react to dangers and more space to stop, which makes crashes worse and makes it more likely that people will die.
Also, accidents are more likely to happen when you drive faster. A study by the Transportation Research Board found that going faster increases the chance of getting into an accident by a factor of 10. For every 1% rise in speed, the chance of an accident goes up by 2%.
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Other Common Causes of Car Accidents.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving while high on drugs or alcohol affects a driver’s ability to think, move, and make decisions. This makes DUI a major cause of car accidents. A drunk driver might not be able to see a stop sign or red light, which could lead to a dangerous accident at a crossing with other cars or people.
The CDC found that nearly 10,500 people died in drunk driving accidents in 2016. This was 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States that year. The NHTSA says that about 28 people die every day in car crashes caused by drunk drivers.
Distracted Driving
The NHTSA says that distracted driving killed 3,142 people in 2019. Visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel), or mental (taking your mind off driving) distractions can happen.
Texting while driving is a common example of driving while distracted, and it is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distractions. If a driver is looking at their phone, they might not see a person walking into a crossing, which could lead to a serious accident.
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Bad Weather
Things like rain, snow, fog, or ice can make it much more likely for a car accident to happen. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) says that about 21% of all car accidents in the United States happen because of the weather.
Bad weather can make it harder for drivers to see, keep their grip on the road, and handle their cars. For example, a sudden rainstorm could make a driver lose control of their car and hydroplane, sending them into passing traffic or off the road.
Other Causes of Accidents:
- Aggressive Driving: aggressive driving includes following too closely, weaving in and out of traffic, or going too fast.
- Failing to yield: Failing to give way at intersections, traffic circles, or when turning onto highways. Failing to yield is dangerous not only to other drivers but to pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Running stop signs and red lights: People often get into accidents because they don’t pay attention to traffic signals and stop signs. This often leads to side-impact or “T-bone” collisions, which can be especially dangerous because the sides of cars don’t offer much protection.
- Drivers Without Experience: Young drivers or drivers who just got licenses may be more likely to get into crashes because they lack driving skills and good judgment. They might have trouble predicting possible dangers, mistake distances and speeds, or not know the rules and laws of the road.
- Drowsy driving: Drivers who are tired or sleepy may have slower reaction times, less focus, and a higher chance of falling asleep at the wheel, which can cause crashes. Drowsy driving can be caused by things like long trips, messed-up sleep schedules, or driving at times when a person would normally be asleep.
- Mechanical problems or defects in a car, such as broken brakes, blown tires, or problems with the steering, can cause accidents. Maintenance and repairs done on time can help avoid these problems and reduce the chance of an accident.
- Poor road conditions—potholes, uneven pavement, trash, and signs that aren’t clear enough—can all lead to car crashes. Drivers should be aware of what’s going on the road and adjust their driving style properly to stay safe.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, consider calling the personal injury attorneys at injuredct.com. Call 855.CT.Legal.
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