Factors That Can Increase the Risk of a Fatal Wreck

Factors That Can Increase the Risk of a Fatal Wreck

Between 2012 and 2021, there were 507,728 drivers in the United States involved in a fatal accident. Of those, 4.66% were charged with criminal or traffic offenses related to those accidents. A review of those cases found that certain actions were more likely to be cited as the cause of those wrecks.

Reckless Driving

Reckless or careless driving describes almost any action that increases the risk of an accident. Examples of reckless driving include going the wrong way on the highway, tailgating another vehicle or swerving between lanes without signaling or taking other precautions. Other examples include running red lights, stop signs or other traffic control devices or evading a police officer. You could also be cited for this offense if you use your phone for any reason while behind the wheel as it can cause a significant distraction.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving occurs when you are under the influence of any type of controlled substance. However, motorists who are cited for impaired driving are typically under the influence of alcohol, prescription pills or marijuana. In some cases, motorists will be under the influence of a variety of intoxicants at the same time. Driving under the influence is dangerous because it limits your ability to process information. It also renders you less capable of maintaining control over your body or vehicle. Therefore, you may be unable to stay in your lane or maintain a proper speed. You may also struggle to remain in control of your emotions, which can contribute to a higher likelihood of road rage. In addition, your pain tolerance is much higher while impaired, which might also increase your risk of taking actions that could result in a fatal accident.

Excessive Speed

Driving at speeds that are unsafe for road conditions can increase the risk of a fatal wreck for multiple reasons. First, the faster a car travels, the longer it takes to come to a stop. Therefore, it may be impossible to avoid a collision with another person, vehicle or object. It's also harder to remain in control of a vehicle when traveling at a high rate of speed. This means that the act of trying to hit the brakes or take evasive maneuvers could cause a vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic or otherwise create the conditions for a wreck. The faster a vehicle is traveling at impact, the more energy it exerts. Ultimately, a collision that occurs while traveling at excessive speeds is more likely to cause a serious crash compared to if you're traveling at a few miles per hour. Traveling at excessive speeds can also make it harder to process information in a timely manner. For instance, a driver who is going too fast for road conditions might not notice a stop sign or the fact that their exit is coming up until it's too late. If you are harmed in a wreck caused by a speeding vehicle, an Allentown personal injury attorney may be able to help.

Other Factors That Could Result in a Fatal Crash

The type of vehicle that you drive as well as the type that you collide with can influence the outcome of a wreck. For instance, if you are behind the wheel of a small passenger vehicle that crashes into a commercial vehicle, it could end up causing serious injuries or death. The risk of fatalities also increases if you drive an SUV or collide with a pedestrian instead of another vehicle. In addition, making a left turn into oncoming traffic is also associated with a higher risk of wrecks that result in serious injuries or fatalities. If you are in need of an Allentown personal injury attorney, get in touch with Metzger and Kleiner today. We can be reached at our Philadelphia office by calling 215-567-6616 or by submitting our online contact form.