The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) divides the causes of car accidents into three categories: driver error, vehicle malfunction, and environmental conditions.

Driver Error – The NHTSA devotes considerable resources to reducing risky driving and driver error. Data reveals that as many as 94% of car accidents are caused by driver inattention and other mistakes, including:
• Distracted driving – Smartphones and similar devices are a big factor behind the recent increase in distracted driving. In 2018 alone the NHTSA says over 2,800 died and 400,000 were injured in traffic accidents involving distracted drivers. Traffic fatalities linked to distracted driving climbed to over 3,100 in 2020.
• Impaired driving – Drivers impaired by drugs, alcohol, prescription medicine or a combination of these, represent a big risk to everyone on the road. A blood alcohol concentration of .02 can reduce a driver’s ability to multitask (paying attention to road conditions and traffic lights at the same time). Impaired drivers also have difficulty tracking moving items or processing road signs, magnifying the danger. Driving under the influence (DUI) can lead to arrest and criminal charges.
• Speeding – Speeding is a consistent cause of driving-related deaths and this problem is growing. In 2020, the NHTSA reports that excessive speed was a factor in almost 30%of all traffic fatalities.
• Inattention – Ignoring or not seeing traffic signals and stop signs. A recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey revealed 85% of drivers said they felt it was “very” or “extremely” dangerous to enter an intersection when the traffic light has just turned red. But nearly 26% of those respondents reported doing exactly that within the last 30 days.
• Drowsy driving – Many people associate drowsy driving with long-haul truckers or nighttime road trips and the NHTSA links these incidents to our 24/7 culture, longer commutes, and packed schedules. Coffee and energy drinks aren’t the answer. Adequate sleep, understanding the side effects of medications you’re taking, and listening to your body can all help.
• Inexperience – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports teen drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a car accident when compared with drivers over the age of 20. Graduated driver’s licensing programs and other restrictions on young drivers can help reduce this risk.
• Road rage – Traffic conditions, stress, and driver personality characteristics can all contribute to road rage, which can lead to collisions and other dangerous driving-related incidents. When you’re on the road, try to keep cool with the bigger picture in mind.

Vehicle Issues – Vehicle-related issues cause less 2% of traffic accidents, according to the NHTSA. Many of these incidents are tire- or wheel-related (35%), with brakes (22%) also playing a big part. Mechanical problems with steering, suspension, and engines can also cause or contribute to an accident. While some of these issues relate to vehicle manufacturing defects, they’re most often linked to improper maintenance or the vehicle owner’s failure to respond to a recall notice.

Environment and Weather – Environmental causes of accidents include weather, road conditions, and traffic signal or sign failures. In 50% of these accidents, ice and road debris are the cause, the NHTSA says. Glare (17%) takes second place on this list.

We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com