Staying Safe on the Road Is Becoming Harder
Driving a car always comes with a certain amount of risk. With so many causes of car accidents, it’s hard to stay safe. Educating yourself about the most common hazards can help you be a more aware driver, but in the event of a car accident, you need an experienced law firm you can trust.
At Jackson & Foster Law, we have decades of experience in personal injury law, including insurance claims related to car and truck accidents. Our team knows how to handle these cases with conviction and fight for compensation on your behalf.
Even the safest drivers can wind up in a wreck. If that happens to you, reach out to our attorneys in Mobile, AL, for assistance. We will be by your side from beginning to end.
Alabama’s Car Crash Statistics
Before diving into the most common causes of car accidents, let’s cover some key car crash statistics. [1] Accident reports from 2020 reveal some harrowing statistics, including:
- Alabama saw 932 deaths in 853 fatal crashes
- A traffic accident killed someone in Alabama every nine hours and 20 minutes
- 75% of Alabama’s car crashes happened in urban areas, while 62% of fatal accidents occurred in rural areas
- Drivers under the age of 25 caused 19% of crashes
- New traffic accidents were reported every three minutes and 55 seconds
These unfortunate findings are the reality for Alabama drivers. Stay aware behind the wheel, and always drive with caution.
Eight Common Causes of Car Accidents
Do you know the most common dangers on the road? These eight most common causes of car accidents impact drivers throughout Alabama and put them at risk for severe injury. Learn more about each driving concern and its long-lasting effects on accident victims.
1. Distracted Driving
In a world where we constantly have technology at our fingertips, drivers fail to put their phones down behind the wheel. This is extremely dangerous for other drivers and pedestrians since distractions like phones pose a risk of accidents. In fact, those who text while driving are 23 times more likely to have an accident than non-texting drivers. [2]
Hands-free phone calls help keep drivers safer, but even talking on the phone can take away their focus on the road. Having a conversation with someone on the phone distracts the driver whether or not they have both hands on the wheel.
Even if you don’t use a phone while driving, that doesn’t mean you’re immune from distractions. Your passengers can also be a distraction. Carrying on conversations with others in the car or driving young or rowdy children in the backseat can pull your focus from the road.
Solo drivers face distractions from playing with radio dials, monitoring GPS systems, and eating and drinking while driving. Even taking in the scenery around you can take your sight off the road and put you at risk for an auto accident.
2. Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs inhibits a driver’s vision, judgment, and focus. These factors increase the threat of head-on collisions, loss of control while turning, and side-swiping other drivers.
Drunk driving in particular is a serious danger within the state. In 2018, Alabama recorded a higher fatality rate from drunk driving accidents compared to the national average. [3]
This is one of the most common yet preventable causes of car accidents. Ongoing efforts aim to lower the total number of drunk driving incidents though accidents continue to impact others. We’re the law firm you can trust to fight for you if you suffer injury and vehicle damage from a drunk driver.
3. Aggressive Driving
You should always be aware of others on the road, and this is especially important when it comes to aggressive drivers. Perilous driving behavior like tailgating other cars, racing, or quickly weaving through lanes doesn’t give other drivers much reaction time. Aggressive and reckless driving is extremely dangerous on urban and rural roadways.
The Alabama Strategic Highway Safety Plan reveals that crashes caused by aggressive driving make up the highest percentage of accidents with both fatalities and serious injuries. [4] Were you in an accident caused by a reckless driver? We can build a legal case that establishes the other driver’s risky behavior was responsible for the crash.
At Jackson & Foster Law, we hold reckless drivers responsible for their destruction and will take on your case with passion.
4. Speeding
Many drivers fail to abide by speed limits and wind up in wrecks. Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents not only in Alabama but nationwide. [5] Traveling at speeds well over the limit makes it hard to control the vehicle when obstacles like animals, road debris, or other cars suddenly appear.
Drivers may need to swerve to avoid hitting something and instead flip their cars. Speeding can cause a number of serious injuries or even death.
Reach out to our firm if you are the victim of a car accident caused by a speeding, irresponsible driver. We’ll help you pursue compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage.
5. Drowsy Driving
Safe drivers are fully alert and aware of their surroundings. Driving while feeling tired is a leading cause of car accidents because sleepy drivers have a slower reaction time and can even fall asleep at the wheel. The following issues may contribute to drowsy driving:
- Lack of sleep
- Sleep disorders like insomnia or narcolepsy
- Sudden change in daily routine and sleep schedule
- Taking certain drugs or drinking alcohol before driving
- Traveling a long time without stopping for breaks
Our firm has the insight and experience to deal with car accident cases that happen due to drowsy drivers creating unsafe conditions on the road. If you were in an accident and the other driver admitted they dozed off, call us right away to start building a case to prove that driver’s negligence.
6. Unsafe Conditions
Inclement weather causes car crashes because it either limits a driver’s visibility or takes away control of the road. Heavy rain and dense fog, for example, make it difficult to see more than a few feet in front of the car. These conditions lead to crashes because drivers can’t see other cars, stop signs, telephone poles, or other objects.
Freezing rain blankets the road with ice, so drivers must deal with slick conditions. In this scenario, a car may not be able to turn or swerve as smoothly and cause an accident.
7. Ignoring Traffic Laws
Traffic laws exist for optimal safety, and ignoring them poses a great danger for all drivers. Improper turns or failing to yield before merging can cause multiple-car collisions. In addition, passing through red lights disrupts the safe flow of traffic coming from another direction.
Failing to obey traffic laws is one of the most consistent causes of car accidents throughout Alabama. Always follow the rules of the road and stay hyper-aware of others who may not follow suit.
8. Car Defects
While many car accidents are due to human error, there is a chance that mechanical defects lead to danger on the road. Car manufacturers occasionally recall certain parts, and drivers who ignore the recall put themselves and others at risk. This comes down to the negligence of the owner and makes for a strong case should you be in an accident.
Other mechanical issues may not be part of a recall yet present an equal threat on the road. For example, driving a car with faulty or worn-out brakes could lead to hitting others in front of you. Additionally, broken taillights don’t let others know when you’re hitting the brakes and leave little reaction time for them.
Come to our attorneys if car defects are to blame for an accident. We’ll work to investigate the other driver’s car for faulty parts and fight for justice on your behalf.
What To Do After a Car Accident
It doesn’t matter if you are in an accident because of a distracted driver, failure to obey traffic laws, or other reasons. The aftermath can leave you shaken and in need of legal assistance, so contact a lawyer as soon as you can.
Our experienced car accident attorneys at Jackson & Foster Law can help you navigate the difficult process of filing insurance claims or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact Jackson & Foster Law for Legal Help Following a Car Accident
At Jackson & Foster Law, our legal team understands the devastating effects of car accidents. Our firm prioritizes your well-being and will fight for you after an auto accident disrupts your life. We help victims in the aftermath of wrecks and fight for justice amid all causes of car accidents.
Contact Jackson & Foster Law at (251) 433-6699 to schedule a free consultation and start developing your case.
“I was driving through Mobile, AL on a long distance road trip when I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The experience was horrible. The accident occurred halfway between my parents’ house in Texas and my home in Georgia.
I was referred to Jackson & Foster by a friend of mine and was able to obtain him as representation. They answered all of my questions (there were many) and made sure I understood the process of working with the different insurance companies. They kept me updated on the status of the case so I always knew where we were in the process. They made sure I understood that nothing was going to happen overnight and that these things take time.
Jackson & Foster made this horrible experience of mine a lot easier to navigate. I would definitely use them again and would refer them to anyone looking for somebody that is easy to work with and willing to work for you to make sure the outcome turns out in your favor.”
Thank you!
Laura A.
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