Many California motorists with good driving records can become complacent about their odds of becoming involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, the simple fact is you can’t control other drivers. It is possible that even if you do everything correctly when behind the wheel, you can still find yourself unable to avoid being involved in a collision through no fault of your own.
The most common dangerous driving threats
The first common factor in many accidents is speeding. Speeding causes the most serious injuries and fatalities in auto accidents. Aggressive driving goes hand-in-hand with speeding as many aggressive motorists drive over the speed limit and cut off others. Bad weather also contributes to accidents, with vehicles requiring up to 10 times more distance to stop in snow and ice, and some drivers lacking awareness that the change in conditions translates into less control over their vehicles.
A second factor is the experience of the person behind the wheel. Although many people know that new drivers are often the most dangerous because of their inexperience, some studies indicate that up to 40% of today’s drivers would not be able to pass a written driving test. Lack of knowledge of right-of-way and other rules of the road can place other drivers at risk due to unpredictable behaviors.
The third factor can be related to the locations where the crashes happened. Crashes tend to occur within 20 miles of home. It can be easy for one to let their guard down in familiar surroundings. Highway work zones are also dangerous as are rural roads, which are the location of half of the country’s accidents.
Driving is a risky activity
Driving is perhaps the riskiest commonly-completed activity as it is an indispensable part of the everyday lives of so many. These risks often manifest themselves in the form of auto accidents, and auto accidents involve complex legal issues. Every year, these accidents cause more than 2 million permanent injuries.
Defensive driving will not prevent accidents in all cases. When you or passengers in your vehicle have been injured through the negligence of one or more drivers, you may be able to file a claim to get compensation for doctors’ fees, physical therapy, missed wages, and more if other drivers are at fault for the mishap. If you have been involved in an auto collision, please feel free to contact The Law Office of Aman N. Shah for a free consultation.
