Unfortunately, traffic accidents occur hundreds of thousands of time per year in the United States. In fact, car accidents are so common and widespread that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the country's public health agency is concerned about motor vehicle safety. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in America and a major source for patients in U.S. hospitals emergency rooms.

One estimate states that between 5-6 million car accidents happen each year in the US. It is estimated that around 3 million people are injured in these accidents. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), reported more than 36,000 car accidents that resulted in death in 2019.

If you don't want to be added to the statistics, it is worth learning about the most common causes of car accidents and how to avoid them. These are the top causes of accidents on the roads.

Reckless Driving

It is important for aggressive drivers to be careful not to become reckless drivers. There is a fine line between unsafe aggressiveness and recklessness. Reckless driving behavior includes tailgating, changing lanes with no signalling, weaving in and out traffic at high speeds, and traveling at an extremely fast rate of speed.

You could be held responsible if you are involved in an accident with a reckless driver. A Miami FL car accident lawyer can explain the legal consequences of reckless driving and how they affect accident claims.

Distracted driving

Distracted driving can be defined as eating, using the phone while driving, and changing GPS settings. Other distractions include becoming distracted by conversations with passengers and ignoring the road.

Accidents can also be caused by distractions such as daydreaming, bright sunlight, or reaching for objects in your car. Distracted driving can be dangerous and easy to do. You may need a Miami car accident lawyer to help you if you are distracted driving.

Drowsiness and Fatigue

You will find it difficult to focus on the road ahead if you are tired. Drying in a state that is either drowsy or fatigued can be dangerous. As you get sleepy, your senses become dull. Your body will respond by relaxing and getting ready to go to sleep.

This type of driving can slow down your reaction time. Even falling asleep behind the wheel could lead to an accident. An experienced Miami car accident lawyer will help you take the appropriate steps after an accident in which another driver or yourself was too tired to drive.

Negligence

Negligence means that someone didn't protect others. They were negligent. They were careless. This could be active carelessness, or it could be avoiding action like helping someone who was a victim of an earlier action. Keep reading in an effort to protect yourself from becoming a victim of future accidents.

In determining whether a driver was negligent, courts look at a variety of factors. These factors include but are not limited to:

• Do not obey traffic signals or signs
• Failure to signal when turning
• You can drive faster than or slower than the posted speed limit
• Weather and traffic conditions are irrelevant
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

A negligent driver will likely be held responsible for the accident. Contacting a Miami FL car accident lawyer can help you to meet your responsibilities following an accident.

Conclusion

Car accidents are a common occurrence. Each year, there are more than 5 million car accidents in the US. You can avoid some of these accidents by being more responsible when driving a car. Neglect, reckless driving, distracted driving, drowsiness and fatigue are all behaviors that can be learned.

These common causes of car accidents can be avoided by first understanding them as extensions to yourself. Unexpected situations can lead to reckless driving. We have all been there. Recognizing the dangers in our behavior doesn't guarantee that we will avoid an accident. A Miami car accident lawyer can assist you in understanding the claims process if an accident occurs.