According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 94% of accidents are caused by driver error. These errors may be related to:
- Failure to recognize a potential crash hazard
- An error in decision making
- A driver performance error such as speeding or texting while driving
- Other potential hazardous factors, such as roadway defects or altered traffic patterns
While driver error accounts for the vast majority of car accidents, vehicle failure and environmental conditions also account for a combined 4% of accidents, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Association. These statistics show that the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents are the result of poor driving, also known as negligence.
Other Drivers Are the Main Road Safety Threat in Traffic Accidents
The NHTSA analysis of accident causation touches on the many ways that drivers can cause car crashes. The broad categories of behavior that may cause a crash include:
- Failure to recognize conditions that could cause an accident such as a pothole, pedestrian, bicycle or another vehicle
- Poor decision making by drivers that is likely to increase the risk of an accident like driving while drowsy, under the influence of alcohol or drugs or driving too fast in light of roadway conditions
- Physical maneuvers (performance errors) that result in an accident such as moving into traffic from a parking space, or making unsafe lane changes or turns
- Non-performance-related errors such as poor highway design or construction errors
More specific behaviors that fall within the “failure to recognize” category include:
- A driver being distracted by talking on the phone, texting or eating
- Not paying adequate attention to the road for other reasons
- Being distracted by children or other passengers
Poor decision making behaviors include:
- Speeding or rushing to get to another location
- Making illegal driving maneuvers such as unsafe U-turns
- Misjudging other motorists’ speed
- Misjudging the distance between vehicles and objects
Some physical maneuvers that could cause a car accident include:
- Veering into another vehicle’s lane
- Overcorrecting after turning or changing lanes
- Moving into traffic from a stopped position
The lawyers at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates have decades of experience proving that the other side was at fault for the accident. If we accept your case, we will immediately begin an investigation to determine what factors caused your accident and obtain the following if available:
- Police and incident reports
- Photographs of the accident location and vehicle damage
- Witness statements
- Video from traffic or security cameras at the location of the accident
Drivers Often Fail To Adapt to Road Conditions
One of the main causes of car accidents involving other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists results from driving without considering the actual road conditions at the time of the accident. Generally, these conditions include:
- The presence of pedestrians, bicyclists or other vehicles
- The presence of construction zones, roadway defects or altered traffic patterns
- Bad weather and wet surfaces
Bad weather can be particularly troublesome, as it can impact:
- Visibility
- Your vehicle’s grip on the road for stopping or turning
- Your ability to maintain control of your vehicle
The NHTSA reports that rain, snow, and ice are among the road conditions that require you to adjust your driving behaviors. Some precautions that may be necessary when such conditions are expected include:
- Ensuring that your windshield wipers are adequate and functional
- Checking your car’s ability to defrost its windshield
- Slowing your speed
- Turning on your headlights, and in some conditions your hazard lights
- Increasing the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
- Accelerating slowly in wet conditions to avoid hydroplaning
Any road condition that obscures visibility or your ability to control your vehicle warrants proportional safety responses from you and other drivers. If a driver fails to take safety precautions—whether in inclement weather or not—and you are personally injured as a result, then you should contact the lawyers at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates at (212) 732-2929.
For a free legal consultation, call 212-732-2929
Auto Accidents Can Cause Serious Personal Injuries or Death
Whether you were a passenger, driver, pedestrian or bicyclist, if you sustain any of the below injuries, you may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation if another driver was at fault for the accident:
- Fractured bones
- Head injuries including concussion or brain damage
- Torn ligaments
- Spinal injuries
- Disfiguring scars
- Loss of a limb or organ
- Inability to work for an extended time
- Death
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Take Legal Action
If you or a loved one was seriously injured as a result of someone else’s fault, the lawyers at Dansker & Aspromonte will fight for you to receive fair and substantial money compensation for all of your injuries including:
- Pain and suffering caused by all of your physical and mental injuries
- Lost wages
- Unpaid medical expenses
- Future lost wages or pension benefits
- Other out of pocket expenses
- In the event of death, loss of guidance and services to the family
Depending on the nature of your case, you could be facing even more losses beyond those listed here. Our lawyers can help you initiate a claim or lawsuit to demand monetary compensation that is fair and just. If you contact our office, we will immediately:
- Provide a consultation at no cost
- Collect evidence regarding how the accident happened
- Obtain all hospital and medical records proving your injuries
- Employ motor vehicle experts to prove fault on the other driver
- Retain medical experts to prove the permanent effect of your injuries on your life
- Represent you in settlement negotiations or at trial
If you have sustained serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident, we can help. Call our personal injury law firm today. Your time to file your claim is limited.
We will answer any questions that you have during a free consultation. Speak to a personal injury attorney at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates today at (212) 732-2929.
Call or text 212-732-2929 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form