Every year in Tennessee and across the U.S., thousands of people die in auto accidents, and the majority of these accidents are caused by human error. The following are just a few of the most frequently cited errors that lead to accidents. If drivers kept the dangers of negligent driving in mind, they could do a lot to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities.
Drivers commonly fall into the error of distracting themselves behind the wheel, whether with their smartphone or through simpler activities like eating and drinking, and this is a leading cause of car crashes. Next, there is the danger of drunk driving. Alcohol impairs judgment and focus as well as slows down reaction times. This heightens the chances of a crash.
Reckless behavior is another cause of car accidents. Drivers may follow the vehicle in front too closely, change lanes too quickly or ignore road signs. Speeding and running red lights are especially common. One will find that intoxicated drivers often become reckless in their effort to get home sooner. The danger of speeding is that it increases one’s braking distance, making it harder to avoid obstacles.
Lastly, inexperienced or reckless drivers can cause accidents by not taking weather conditions into account. Traveling in dense fog, heavy rain, and snow requires greater diligence.
When negligence is behind a motor vehicle accident, the victim who is not to blame may be able to seek compensation his or her medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other applicable losses. The way to do this is by filing an injury claim against the responsible party’s auto insurance company. It might be wise to hire a lawyer, though, because insurance companies have their own legal representatives who can fight a claim. A lawyer may handle all negotiations.