14 Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents happen every day in Virginia and for many reasons. However, some causes of accidents are more common than others. 

Knowing how another driver caused a crash can help you recover compensation for your injuries. The Kendall Law Firm created this list of the most common causes of car accidents so you can protect your rights and recover fair compensation for your injuries. To that end, the 14 most common causes of car accidents in  Virginia are: 

1. Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents. Drivers who do not watch what they are doing, take their hands off the wheel, or let their minds wander are much more likely to cause a crash. Common examples of driver distractions include: 
   • Talking on a cell phone 
   • Texting 
   • Snacking 
   • Grooming 
   • Applying makeup 
   • Playing loud music 
   • Adjusting in-vehicle controls 
   • Talking to passengers
2. Speeding – As road safety advocates frequently say, “speed kills.” Speeding makes it harder for drivers to recognize and respond to nearby hazards to avoid a collision. Speeding drivers also tend to cause more severe injuries in accidents, as force increases with speed. The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) reports there were 401 fatal crashes and 8,305 injury crashes involving speeding drivers during a recent year.
3. Drunk Driving – Intoxicated drivers threaten everyone on Virginia roads. Drivers who drink before getting behind the wheel may have poor reflexes, impaired judgment, and problems with perception. They are also far likelier to pass out than sober drivers. Drunk drivers are also more likely to speed or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The Virginia DOT reports 4,224 people suffered injuries and 247 people died in drunk driving accidents in one recent year.
4. Reckless Driving – Virginia law defines reckless driving as driving in a way or at a speed that endangers others on the road. This definition covers a wide range of dangerous driving behaviors, from speeding and failing to yield the right-of-way to passing a stopped school bus or racing other drivers. Drivers who engage in these or other reckless actions have a significantly higher chance of causing a collision.
5. Aggressive Driving – Under state law, someone commits an aggressive driving offense when they act in a way that’s dangerous to other drivers or with intent to “harass, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person.” Some specific acts mentioned in the law include:
   • Driving on the wrong side of the road 
   • Ignoring a stop sign or red light  
   • Traveling above posted speed limits 
   • Tailgating.
6. Bad Weather – Bad weather, by itself, is rarely an excuse for a collision. Drivers should adjust their actions accordingly when they are driving in poor weather. Otherwise, they run the risk of losing control and causing a crash. Drivers who do not slow down, increase their following distance, and take greater care when maneuvering in bad weather could be found liable for collisions.
7. Crossing Intersections – Many Virginia car accidents happen because drivers are not careful enough when traveling through intersections. Drivers who do not yield the right-of-way according to traffic regulations may collide with traffic coming from another direction. Intersection accidents can also happen when distracted drivers fail to slow down or stop in time.
8. Teen Drivers – Younger drivers do not have as much experience behind the wheel as older drivers. This lack of experience combined with their youth means they are more likely to take unnecessary risks, such as speeding or running a red light, making an accident more likely.
9. Night Driving – Lower visibility at night makes it harder to see potential hazards, such as:
   • Other cars 
   • Motorcycle riders 
   • Pedestrians 
   • CyclistsMotorists need to be especially careful when driving at night in urban and residential areas, as these areas have greater numbers of cyclists and pedestrians.
10. Vehicle Defects – If a car has a mechanical defect, its driver may not be able to avoid a collision when it suddenly breaks. Defective brakes, tires, and other mechanical components can lead to a loss-of-control accident. Defective safety equipment like airbags or seatbelts can cause more severe injuries in a crash. 
11. Unsafe Lane Changes – Lane changes and merges are two times when drivers need to be particularly watchful. Drivers who do not check their blind spots to ensure they have enough room to maneuver safely might sideswipe other cars or cause other collisions. An unsafe lane change can also cause an accident if a driver in the adjacent lane swerves out of the merging vehicle’s path.
12. Driving the Wrong Way – When two cars traveling toward each other collide, there is nothing to mitigate their combined force, often resulting in catastrophic, even fatal injuries. Common causes of wrong-way accidents include:
    • Impaired driving 
    • Drowsy driving 
    • Distracted driving 
    • Driving in unfamiliar areas
13. Improper Turns – Drivers must be careful when turning to avoid crossing in front of other vehicles. If a driver does not have enough time and space to make a turn safely, they can collide with other cars or leave other drivers without enough time to avoid colliding with them. Distracted or impaired drivers are more likely to cause an accident while turning.
14. Running Red Lights or Stop Signs – Running a red light or stop sign can easily cause a collision, either because the driver who ran the red light collides with another vehicle or because another car hits them as they cross.

Contact the Kendall Law Firm Now If a Driver Injured You in an Accident

Hurt in a car accident like one of the 14 described above? Then, contact the Kendall Law Firm today for a free consultation with a Charlottesville car accident lawyer. Depending on what happened, you could be owed money. We can help you demand it.