Car accidents happen for a variety of different reasons, and for any driver, it is important to understand the kinds of risks that exist so that they may keep an eye out for them. It may feel a little difficult to figure this out, and as such, we have prepared a compilation of common causes of car accidents in Washington, so you can work to avoid engaging in any of the below-mentioned behaviors and situations.
What are the common causes of car accidents in Washington?
Some causes of car accidents are going to be more obvious than others. For example, it is no surprise that when a driver drives faster than the speed limit, this creates increased risk. This is due to the fact that humans have only so much ability to react to situations as they occur. Thus, the faster that person is driving, the harder it is for them to adjust their speed and position on the road in order to avoid getting into a car accident. Be it hitting a deer or if the driver in front of you has to stop suddenly. No matter how skilled you may think yourself to be, speed limits exist for a reason, and as such, should be respected. That said, while going too fast is a common cause for a car accident in Washington, so too is going too slow. While going slower certainly improves a person’s ability to react to potential issues on the road, going too slow may itself create an issue for other drivers on the road. For instance, if you are driving far below the speed limit, this may result in someone who is driving at the highest speed limit possible being taken by surprise by your speed, leaving them unable to properly react to your presence.
Next up, we are going to examine the risks posed by things completely outside the control of drivers: the weather. Certain weather conditions, such as snow, rain, and even wind can create serious issues for drivers on the road, and as such, precautions must be made to avoid a car accident in these circumstances. Rain and snow create slippery conditions; with rain, the water can get into the grooves of the tire, basically eliminating the friction of your tires, and causing your car to hydroplane. Ice has a similar issue, where the ice can get so slippery that a wrong turn can cause all friction to be long gone. When it comes to wind, windy situations create a risk of obstructions in the road, such as if a tree falls onto the road, or even if a branch breaks off. When it comes to weather, there is relatively little that can be done to avoid the conditions; after all, people who have to drive to work cannot simply decide that a rainy day is too dangerous to go on the road. Not if they want to keep their jobs, anyway. But you can nevertheless adjust your habits to prevent things like hydroplaning. Drive more slowly than normal, and make sure that you do not allow yourself to be distracted while driving.
Speaking of distractions, distracted driving is perhaps the biggest threat to your safety while on the road. It doesn’t matter if you are texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, or fiddling with the radio, taking your attention off of the road creates the opportunity for a dangerous situation to take you by surprise. Inevitably, you will face some distractions while you are on the road but try your best to keep them to a minimum. For instance, if you receive a phone call, be sure to pull over, when possible, to receive it, or at the very least, wait until you have finished your drive to respond to it. One may think that hands-free talking is safe, and while it is safer than the alternative, it still creates a distraction. Unlike when talking with someone who is in the car, the person on the other end of the phone has no idea what the circumstances are for the driver, and as such, they cannot adjust their engagement level with them.
One of the most dangerous causes of a car accident is through the use of drugs and/or alcohol while driving. This should be rather obvious, as drugs and alcohol result in reduced inhibitions and reaction times, and they nonetheless occur and cost all too many lives in the process. If you find yourself in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, it is important to gain an understanding of your legal options and consult with a lawyer who specializes in this area. In doing so, you can get the compensation and peace of mind that you are entitled to.
