Safety features in motor vehicles, such as seat belts and airbags, have prevented many car accidents from resulting in fatalities. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there are still over 40,000 car accident fatalities each year in the United States. Drivers often overlook the dangers associated with operating a vehicle, especially when they are under the influence, which is the leading cause of car accident fatalities in America — as a Youngstown, OH car accident lawyer who has won settlements as large as $230,000 in a motor vehicle accident case has seen all too often.
Drunk Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, 32% of all car accident fatalities involved a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) greater than 0.08. In many cases, drivers are not aware of how intoxicated they are, leading to irrational decisions such as not wearing a seatbelt, which increases the likelihood of fatal accidents. It is crucial to understand that even one alcoholic drink can impair a driver’s thinking, reaction time, and cognitive abilities which ultimately impacts a person’s capacity to brake, steer, and use the gas pedal. These accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more.
Distracted Driving
While drunk driving contributes to a great deal of fatal accidents, so does distracted driving. Although distracted driving can come from both internal or external factors, like taking a glance at a child in the backseat or nearly hitting a deer, the primary cause is the usage of cell phones. People believe that hands-free and Bluetooth car phones will prevent distracted driving. However, studies have revealed that hands-free devices create a cognitive distraction. In those moments, an individual’s eyes may be focused on the road, however, their mental focus is on the phone call.
Speeding
Speeding is also a major contributor to fatal accidents across the United States. On average, 29% of fatal accidents each year are attributed to speeding. According to the most recent data from the NHTSA, there were a total of 12,315 fatalities due to speeding in 2022. Crashes are often more severe when speeding is involved. A car traveling at a slower speed exerts significantly less force than one traveling at higher speeds, so it makes sense that higher speed accidents often result in significantly more injury, harm or death. Additionally, speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time, and has an effect on the time it takes to slow down and stop in an emergent situation.
To promote better road safety, it is essential to understand the contributing factors that lead to fatal accidents in order to avoid the consequences of car accidents. Driving while intoxicated, distracted driving, and speeding are key causes of deadly accidents in the United States. Adopting better driving habits, paying attention, and slowing down are all important steps toward creating safer roads for everyone. If you or someone you love gets into an accident, contact an attorney at Joseph Law Group, LLC for help today as we have helped over five thousand clients obtain settlements on their cases.
