Pinpointing causes of car crashes can help avoid them

On Behalf of | Dec 26, 2017 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car crashes are always a concern for drivers in Montana and across the country as 6 million accidents take place each year in the United States. There is a wide range of causes for car accidents, and the number of incidents increased in both 2015 and 2016.

Several studies have helped identify detailed explanations for car accidents; these studies seek not only to understand why crashes happen but how to prevent them from occurring in the future. One 2008 study examined 6,950 motor vehicle accidents and detailed their causes. Other studies equipped cars with sonar, sensors and cameras, tracking the daily usage patterns and accidents of participating cars. All of this research has revealed several major factors in causing car crashes, often the result of simple misunderstandings.

One common incident leading to a car crash is rolling into a right turn on a red light. Accidents caused by rolling right turns on red lead to 6 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in crashes. Coming to a full stop can help eliminate these accidents. Another severe factor in causing accidents is simple exhaustion as 7 percent of all crashes involve drivers who doze off. Paying close attention to sleep hygiene and avoiding lone night driving can help stop drowsy driving.

There are many factors that can lead to a car crash; however, no matter the root cause, there is generally a party at greater fault for the accident. People who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident through the negligent or dangerous driving of others may contact a personal injury lawyer in order to discuss pursuing compensation for lost wages, medical bills and other damages suffered as a result.

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