New Jersey and Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over six million car accidents were reported across the United States in 2015, with over 35,000 people fatally injured in those crashes. Driver error is the single most common cause of all car accidents reported. Sadly, most if not all, of these accidents could have been prevented if drivers practiced safe driving skills.

When an accident happens through no fault of your own, causing serious injury to you or a loved one, it can leave you feeling helpless and worried about the future. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect your right to recover compensation from the party responsible for the crash. Consult a car accident lawyer to understand your options.

Accidents, such as head-on collisions and t-bone crashes, caused by driver error include drivers engaging in any unsafe behavior, such as failing to yield to traffic lights, stop signs, road signs, and neglecting to pay attention at intersections. Speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and drowsy driving are also considered preventable driver errors. Moreover, officials at the NHTSA have named distracted driving as the single most common cause of all car accidents, particularly rear-end crashes. As many as one quarter of all car accidents and pedestrian accidents are reportedly caused by distracted drivers.

Recent studies indicate that the most common cause of distracted driving is cell phone usage, but drivers face many other distractions as well. As more cars become equipped with on-board navigation and entertainment systems, driver distraction includes more than just texting and talking on the phone. Even drivers that eat behind the wheel can become distracted. A person operating a vehicle while trying to navigate a map, adjust a sophisticated audio system, or use social media while driving is likely to take their eyes off the road for longer than they might realize. Even a split second distraction can result in a serious crash.

Some car accidents are not the result of driver error, yet they are no less preventable. Poor road conditions, inclement weather conditions, dangerous curves, broken road signs, potholes, and mechanical failure caused by defective auto parts also cause many car accidents. Ice and snow as well as rain and sleet can occur without warning, leaving drivers at risk for sliding or crashing into roadway barriers. Commercial vehicles sharing the road with passenger vehicles can also cause serious truck accidents due to poor visibility and load shifting. Drivers that encounter dangerous road conditions have a responsibility to adjust their driving behavior accordingly.