“Accidents happen,” they say, and while that statement is very true, some accidents are totally preventable by taking the right precautions. Car accidents are unfortunately one of the most common types of accidents that happen every day, and a lot of the accidents happen due to an error on our own behalf.
Some accidents are very small and minor… some people call them “fender benders.” But on the opposite end of the spectrum, some accidents are horrific and claim the lives of many. According to the National Safety Council, 38,800 people lost their lives in car accidents in 2019, which averages out to a decline of around 2% from 2018 but that number is still alarmingly high.
Although a lot of car accidents are preventable by your own safety measures, that still doesn’t mean that other drivers are taking the same safety measures that you are. If you happen to get in a car accident and it isn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to be held responsible for the negligent actions of the other driver.
When things like this happen, you need to immediately call the police and file a car accident claim with Chad Stavley. You’ll also need to get in touch with your car insurance company to file a claim with them as well.
Despite the fact that accidents happen, car accidents don’t have to happen at your fault when you’re behind the wheel. You may not be able to control how other people drive but it would be in your best interest to take a look at the common causes of car accidents to help you practice better driving habits.
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Common Causes of Car Accidents and How to Prevent Them
1Speeding
Have you ever been driving and you see a car fly by and ask yourself “Where do they have to be that’s so important for them to be speeding like that!” We’ve all made that statement and also been the speeding driver as well.
It’s so easy to get in such a rush that we all tend to push the speeding limit when we’re late, but it’s so important that you try and fight that urge. Being somewhere at a specific time is not more important than your life or the lives of others. Leave earlier if you anticipate factors like traffic that might make you late.
2Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one leading cause of car accidents for the past few decades. Everything from texting, social media, and even eating, threaten the lives of millions each year. Because so many lives have been taken from distracted driving, it’s now a law in certain states to not have a cellphone in-hand while driving. In Tennessee, this law is called the “hands-free law.”
Handle all your cell phone business before you get in the car. That means check your emails, social media pages, put on your makeup before you leave the house, etc. By doing these things before you get in your car, you’re less likely to get into an accident because all your focus is on the road.
3Drowsy Driving
Some cities consider drowsy driving the equivalent of drunk driving, and you don’t want to be either. The sad part about drowsy driving is the fact that it’s completely preventable, just like all the other poor driving habits. To prevent drowsy driving, all you have to do is get a good night’s rest.
Some people sleep better in a cozy bedroom while others tend to sleep better after an intense workout… Whatever the case may be, our bodies only function properly when we’ve had enough rest.
Ideally, you want to prevent yourself from driving sleepy by getting a good night’s rest, but if you’re already driving and feel yourself start to get sleepy, roll your windows down or turn the volume up on your radio until you can safely pull over in a safe location to catch a nap.
4Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous causes of car accidents, and it’s also one that has taken the lives of so many. Because of that, many states are cracking down on drunk drivers. A lot of people like to say they’re not drunk because they’ve only had a certain number of drinks, but the reality is that if you have even just one drink, you don’t need to drive at all.
The legal limit in the US is to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) level of .08. The only problem with this number is that there’s no real way to measure that when you’re at a party or bar, plus, nobody’s thinking about what their BAC is when they’re having fun anyway. If you drink at a social event and drove there, it’s always recommended to call a cab or give your keys to a friend.
One thing that has certainly flattened the curve on drunk driving is the emergence of ride share apps. People are cognizant of the consequences of drunk driving and will now just order a Lyft or Uber to take them to and from where they want to go if they decide to have drinks. That way they can have a good time without worrying about getting pulled over drunk.
