Car accidents are one of the greatest dangers to public health in the nation. A total of 22,416 passenger vehicle occupants died in 2019. As pickups and SUVs have become more popular, the distribution of vehicle types in fatal crashes has changed. Fifty-five percent of passenger vehicle driver deaths in 2019 were car drivers, 21 percent were pickup drivers, and 23 percent were SUV drivers.
Common causes of car accidents include some form of negligent driving behavior. Following are the most common types of negligence leading to serious personal injury or death from a car accident.
Driver Fatigue
Tired drivers are as dangerous as drivers who are drunk. These drivers cannot react in time if there is the need to swerve or stop, and may not even be aware of the other vehicles sharing the road. Truck drivers are prone to suffer from fatigue due to long driving time and the requirement to deliver their cargo on time. Drivers who commute or drive long distances may also be operating a vehicle without adequate breaks or without sufficient sleep, leading to an accident with injuries or deaths.
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Aggressive Driving
Some drivers experience a change in personality when they get behind the wheel. In some cases the protection of the vehicle makes them feel that they have a right to drive aggressively, often causing very serious accidents. These accidents are preventable. Tailgating, swerving in and out of lanes and other aggressive driving conduct is responsible for many serious or deadly accidents.
Reckless Driving
Reckless drivers include motorists who speed through intersections to beat a red light, fail to stop at stop signs, fail to yield when required, and swerve from lane to lane in an effort to save a few minutes, or drive at high speeds on roads and highways.
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Texting While Driving
Although texting while driving is illegal in many states, some drivers absolutely cannot resist the impulse to read or reply to a text message. This is one of the most dangerous of all driving activities, as it requires about 5 seconds of attention for even a short text, over which time the vehicle moving at 55 mph will travel the length of a football field. This activity has led to countless injuries and fatalities, and is a form of negligence.
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Traffic Signal Rules
Drivers who do not obey traffic signals are responsible for a high number of serious injuries and deaths on the streets and roads in Wisconsin. Running a red, failing to slow down and stop at a yellow light or simply ignoring a stop sign are common causes of serious or fatal car accidents.
Drunk Driving
Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area historically have had a high number of drunk driving cases on the streets, roads and highways. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that our state has the highest rate of drunk driving in the nation, with 26% of adults surveyed admitting to driving drunk over the prior year. There were more than 33,000 convictions for drunk driving that year, representing only a percentage of those who were on the streets and highways while under the influence – but didn’t get caught.
Distracted Driving
There are various forms of driver distraction from daydreaming or having your mind “elsewhere” to talking to passengers, handling a child, texting, reading, eating, personal grooming and other activities that cause you to take your attention off the road ahead – a serious danger to all others sharing the roadway.
Vehicle Defects
Some vehicles have design flaws electronic systems that later are found to have the potential for failure. The recent GM ignition switch recall is one instance of this type of manufacturing problem. If you were involved in car accident as the result of a part failure or design flaw, you need legal counsel to help you build a successful case.
Weather and Road Conditions
During wet weather or over the winter seasons, road conditions can be very dangerous. In some cases, there is flooding or areas of a highway were not properly marked or graded, making the situation hazardous under specific conditions. When road designs lead to accidents, a legal action can be filed against the entity responsible for that street or highway.
Road Construction
Work zones pose unique hazards for motorists, who may face new traffic patterns, stopped vehicles and confusing lane changes. Roadwork may also create uneven surfaces that cause motorists to lose control of their vehicles.
Contact the Experienced Milwaukee Automobile Accident Attorneys
If you, or a loved one, has been injured in bad car accident today, we’re here to help. Contact Gruber Law Offices, LLC for a free consultation with an experienced automobile accident attorney today.
Call or text 414-276-6666 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
