There are a number of causes of car accidents but, by far, the number one leading reason is distracted or inattentive driving. The major and most obvious cause of inattentive driving is cell phone usage. As cell phones have become widespread among most people, lawyers find that drivers often use cell phones in the car. Crashes may also be caused by bad weather conditions, faulty parts in the vehicle, or excessive speed and other reckless behavior.
For anyone who drives on public roads, it is wise to know the common causes of car accidents in Charlottesville to try to prevent accidents from happening. If you or a loved one has been recently injured in an auto wreck, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation. A car accident lawyer at the Warren Firm could help you pursue a claim against the person responsible for your injuries.
Cell phone use while driving takes a driver’s eyes off the road and may make the difference between causing or avoiding an accident. It could be talking on the phone, texting, using some form of social media, or changing the music. However, it is not only cell phones that can take the driver’s eyes away from the road. A driver may also be distracted by the navigation system or radio in the car. Often when people are using navigation systems, it means they are not familiar with the area, and they are trying to use the map at the same time they are trying to drive.
Driving while drowsy or fatigued is another common cause of accidents in Charlottesville. There are people who continue to drive late at night after they have driven for many hours and are tired. Once fatigued, they are not paying as much attention and their ability to react to hazards on the road usually decreasing. Driving while fatigued is also a particularly common cause of crashes amongst commercial truck drivers as many must stay on the road for long periods of time to meet their deadlines.
If a person is using a cell phone while driving and causes an accident, the police will probably charge the driver with reckless driving. This is a criminal charge that could create a bigger issue of liability for the driver’s insurance company to defend against in a civil suit. It could positively impact an injured victim’s personal injury case in Charlottesville and make it easier to settle or take to trial.
It is hard to prove, sometimes, whether or not someone is on a cell phone at the actual time of the impact unless a witness sees the driver or he or she admits to it at the scene. However, it may be possible to investigate and later discover what time someone was on the phone, which could serve as proof of negligence or willfully reckless behavior.
All motorists should be aware of the most common causes of car accidents in Charlottesville so they are better able to drive defensively and avoid crashing. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, you may need the help of an experienced lawyer to get justice for any resulting injuries. To learn more, call the Warren Firm today and schedule a consultation.
