Realistically speaking, car accidents and other road collisions take a heavy toll on the drivers and the families of the people involved. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.5 million people die every year as a result of vehicular crashes. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 6.5 million car accidents happen in the US annually, and they result in more than 36,000 deaths and 2.7 million injuries.

Considering this statistical data, you may be wondering what causes these collisions to happen and affect the lives of many individuals on the road. So, keep reading this article if you want to know the five leading causes of car accidents in 2020.

1. Distracted Driving

One of the common causes of car accidents is distracted driving. Generally, the brain may not be capable of doing several tasks at a single time. This means that the more preoccupied the driver is with their cellphones and other things such as eating and reading, the more they put themselves at risk of a road collision. That single moment of inattention can result in someone getting permanently injured or losing their life forever.

Therefore, if you or someone you love has been seriously injured, don’t hesitate to call an injury lawyer after a car accident. They can help you or your loved one recover medical bills paid, lost wages, and other financial expenses arising from the injuries.

2. Speeding

Another common cause of car collision in 2020 is driving beyond the required speed limit. Typically, drivers who are guilty of speeding switch lanes too quickly or even drive aggressively. When this happens, it becomes harder for drivers to maneuver the car as they’ll have less time to react to a road hazard or a traffic sign. Because of this, it’s important for most drivers to keep more distance on the road to ensure a controlled stop and avoid a car collision.

3. Drunk Driving

Just like distracted driving, drunk driving plays a leading role in car collisions. When a driver decides to drink alcohol and get intoxicated, they’re mentally impaired, which in turn affects their ability to drive cautiously on the road.

Therefore, to avoid a possible car accident due to drunk driving, the driver maneuvering the vehicle should be someone who is sober, not intoxicated, or in stable condition before driving.

4. Not Following The Traffic Laws

For safe driving, adherence to traffic laws is very important. However, due to some excuses such as being late for work or having to catch a meeting, drivers are susceptible to violating the traffic laws and regulations like running a red light. In other words, if the drivers aren’t following the traffic laws in your area, they’re more likely to get into a serious accident, thereby causing injuries to themselves, their passengers, other drivers, and even the pedestrians.

5. Causes Unrelated To Human Errors

In some cases, car accidents aren’t caused by human errors. There are other factors that can have a significant influence and these can include:

• Vehicle defects – Since cars consist of several parts, it’s important to keep them in good working condition to avoid road collisions. However, there are instances when these parts malfunction and when this happens, a car accident is likely to happen.
• Road conditions – Despite driving with caution, a car collision will more likely happen if the road is poorly-maintained. Sometimes, poor road conditions can increase the risk of a popped tire, which affects the driver’s ability to brake adequately and safely.
• Weather conditions – These can also cause a vehicular accident because the slippery roads from ice, snow, or rain can result in cars sliding off the road or hitting other objects or vehicles.

The Bottom Line

Typically, getting into a car accident due to the common reasons mentioned above can lead to several consequences. Depending on the impact of the collision and the extent of the injuries, the injured victim’s life will change forever. In such a case, hiring a personal injury lawyer can be beneficial. If you or your loved one is the injured victim, a legal professional helps them recover compensation for the harm inflicted so you or your loved one can get your normal life back.