In 2013, over 30,000 people died in automobile accidents in the United States. The statistical trend could indicate an increase in the number of deaths as the number of miles driven increases. If you drive often, you may find yourself in an automotive accident at some point. Here are a few avoidable reasons that a car crash could occur:
Tired Drivers
A 2005 study indicated that about 60 out of 100 adults who drive had driven while feeling sleepy in the previous 12 months. Four percent, which is an estimated 11 million motorists, confirm that they had or almost had a car accident because they fell asleep driving or were too drowsy to drive. Car accidents that occur because of drowsiness are more common in adults between the ages of 18 and 29. In addition, males are about two times as likely to fall asleep as they drive.
Texting
A typical text requires you to look away from the road for about five seconds. If you are traveling 55 miles per hour during that five-second period, by the time your eyes move back to the road, you will have traveled the length of a football field. Although most people would never drive that distance on purpose with their eyes closed, many drivers still text and drive. About 25 percent of teenagers answer a text at least once every time they drive. In addition, about 2 out of 10 teens and 1 out 10 parents admit to having multiple-message conversations via text as they drive.
Talking on a Cell Phone
Talking and driving may also lead to driver distraction. Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that in 2012, more than 66 percent of drivers admitted to talking on a mobile phone while driving at least one time in the past month. Although headsets have become more popular, they are not much safer than using a hand-held device. Motorists who conversed on a hand-held or hands-free phone were four times as likely to be a part of a car collision. In fact, it is estimated that over one-fifth of all traffic accidents in the U.S. involve a person talking on a mobile phone. One study showed that drivers using their mobile phones had slower response times than drivers who were at the legal blood alcohol limit.
Driving can be dangerous, yet many car crashes could be avoided. If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault, the other driver could have been distracted by fatigue or a cell phone. Contact a car accident attorney, such as Stephen G. McGowan LLC, to review the details of your particular situation and pursue appropriate legal action.
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