What Are the Most Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Motor vehicle accidents are responsible for more than 2 million injuries throughout the United States every year. While some of these accidents are unavoidable, our Allentown personal injury attorneys know from experience that many are caused by preventable errors on the part of drivers. Knowing what some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents are can help to reduce your risk of being involved in one.Distracted Driving
Distractions can come in many forms, including cellphone use, eating and drinking, and even conversations with passengers. All it takes is a few seconds of distraction for a driver to miss a critical road sign, fail to observe a traffic light, or be too slow to react when cars around them are braking, resulting in an accident. And while states are taking greater measures to pass laws against distracted driving, the risk continues to rise as handheld technology becomes more pervasive in our lives.Drowsy Driving
Studies have shown that losing even a few hours of sleep can slow a driver's reaction time and impair their judgment in the same way as drinking alcohol. Drowsy or fatigued drivers are also at risk of falling asleep at the wheel, which can have catastrophic consequences. This contributing factor is particularly common among commercial truck drivers who may be driving for long periods of time.Intoxication
Alcohol and drugs can significantly impair a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. These substances can distort a driver's vision, slow their reaction time, and limit their coordination. And not all cases of intoxicated driving involve drinking too much or taking illegal drugs — even prescription and over-the-counter drugs can have a negative effect on one's driving ability if taken in high enough doses.
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