Some of the Common Causes of Car Accidents and How to Prevent Them

For all the modern features cars have these days, like backup cameras, automatic emergency braking, and smart headlights, you’d think crashes would be a thing of the past. But unfortunately, that’s far from reality. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 40,990 people were killed in car crashes in 2023. That tells us one thing clearly: technology alone isn’t enough to prevent car accidents.

Even if a car can warn you when someone’s in your blind spot or slam on the brakes automatically, it can’t control what you, or the driver next to you, decide to do. Accidents often come down to human decisions like texting while driving, speeding, or even just zoning out for a second too long.

When an accident happens because someone else wasn’t being careful, that driver should be held accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s carelessness, it’s worth speaking with the Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law to understand your legal rights.

But the best-case scenario? Avoiding the accident altogether. In this blog post, we will visit some of the most common causes of car crashes and exactly how to prevent them.

Distracted Driving

This one’s at the top of the list for a reason. Distracted driving is behind a huge number of crashes, and it doesn’t just mean texting. It includes anything that takes your attention away from the road, even for a second. That could be eating, checking your GPS, talking to passengers, changing the radio, or even daydreaming.

The truth is, your brain can’t actually focus on two things at once. It just jumps back and forth between them really fast. So, if you’re replying to a text or trying to open a snack, your brain isn’t fully focused on the road, even if it feels like it is. And that’s where accidents happen.

To prevent this, make it a habit to do everything (texts, snacks, music setup) before you even start the car.

Speeding

Speeding is always a bad idea, even if you’re late. It might feel harmless, especially if you’re just trying to keep up with the flow of traffic. But driving too fast doesn’t just increase your chances of crashing; it also makes the crash way more dangerous.

The faster you go, the less time you have to react to anything unexpected, like someone stopping suddenly or an animal running onto the road. Speeding is especially risky on curves or near intersections. Drivers often misjudge how much room they have to stop or turn.

To prevent these accidents, follow the speed limit, give yourself more time to get where you’re going, and always slow down in bad weather or unfamiliar areas.

Driving Under the Influence

It’s shocking how many crashes are still caused by drunk or drug-impaired driving, about 35% of them, in fact. Alcohol and drugs affect your ability to focus, make quick decisions, and control your vehicle properly. Even if you think you feel fine, your brain isn’t working the way it should.

If you’re impaired, don’t drive. It’s that simple. Call a friend, get a rideshare, or stay where you are. And if someone else who’s been drinking offers to drive, say no. It’s not worth risking your life or anyone else’s.

Intersection Crashes

Roughly 40% of accidents happen at intersections. These areas are tricky because they require everyone to follow traffic signals, pay attention, and predict what other drivers might do. People often speed up to make the light or miss signs altogether, causing serious accidents.

To prevent this, always slow down as you approach an intersection. Wait a moment after the light turns green to check that cross traffic has stopped. Be especially cautious at yellow lights; don’t try to beat them. Just stop if you can do so safely.