Five Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents

Auto accidents happen to many people every day. With the number of vehicles on Tampa’s roads increasing, car accidents are becoming more likely. There are many potential causes of auto accidents, but some causes are more common than others. 

The five most common causes of auto accidents are distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, water on the road, and not stopping at red lights or stop signs. Preventing auto accidents is very simple in theory, but complicated in practice. Here at Esposito Law Firm, we believe that awareness can prevent many accidents from happening.

Distracted driving includes driving while also performing activities that take your eyes, hands, and/or attention away from the road. Cell phone use while driving is the most common form of distracted driving. Other forms include driving while eating, checking a child’s seat belt in the rearview mirror, changing radio stations, driving while fatigued or extremely emotional, and any other action that takes the drivers to focus off of the road. 

Speeding is often coupled with distracted driving leading to catastrophic results. Speeding, however, is extremely dangerous by itself. When a driver is driving marginally faster than other traffic, it can cause accidents when traffic in front of the speeder has to stop, or other drivers change lanes without seeing the speeder coming. Driving within the speed limit is one of the best ways to prevent auto accidents.

Drunk driving causes a staggering number of fatalities every day in the United States. Alcohol can impair reaction time and motor skills causing terrible accidents. Drunk drivers are putting themselves and everyone on the road at incredible risk, so driving sober is another excellent way to prevent auto accidents. 

Rain and snow can make driving very difficult as well. Water collected on the road can reduce friction between your tires and the road, causing you to hydroplane. Hydroplaning takes most if not all control of the vehicle away from the driver and can be very dangerous. Ice and snow reduce friction even more and can be more dangerous than just water. 

Ice on the road can cause people to not be able to stop at red lights or stop signs as well. However, many people decide not to stop at stop signs anyway, or come to a “rolling stop” without fully ensuring their safety at the intersection. Not stopping can lead to driver side collisions, which are often the most dangerous. Stopping at stop signs and red lights reduces your risk of being in an accident drastically.

If you do find yourself the victim of a car accident, you’re going to need high-quality legal representation. Call Esposito Law Firm today, and find out more about your case. With a highly qualified team of attorneys, we have the resources you need to get the compensation you deserve. Call us today!