Car accidents happen every day. Sometimes, all that results is a scratch or ding in one of the vehicles. In other cases, one or more of the people in the involved vehicles suffer serious injuries. In very serious accidents, victims can die immediately or in the days that follow due to their injuries.
In 2015, 3,578 people died in Texas traffic fatalities. When a victim dies in a car accident, his or her loved ones have the right to seek compensation for their related damages through a wrongful death claim. When a victim does not die in an accident but does suffer an injury that causes him or her to suffer financial damages, he or she can seek compensation for these damages through a personal injury claim. Below are four of the most common causes of traffic fatalities in Texas and throughout the nation.
Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,477 people died in car accidents caused by distracted drivers nationwide in 2015. As smartphones and onboard navigation systems become more ubiquitous, drivers have more opportunities to take their eyes and hands off the road, putting themselves and others in danger of injury and death.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive drivers are often emotional drivers. Emotional drivers cannot focus on the road the way even-tempered drivers can focus, and aggressive drivers put other drivers on edge, all of which increases the likelihood of an accident occurring. A few examples of aggressive driving include:
- Tailgating;
- Running stop signs and red lights;
- Verbally abusing other drivers; and
- Rapidly switching lanes, cutting in front of other drivers, and acting erratically without signaling.
Drunk Driving
A drunk driver cannot safely operate his or her vehicle. There are no exceptions to this. Alcohol inhibits an individual’s perception, judgment, and reaction time, all of which a driver needs to maintain speed, comply with posted traffic rules, and avoid collisions with objects and other drivers. Other drugs, like prescription sleep aids and marijuana, can also impair a driver’s ability to operate his or her vehicle safely.
Speeding
Speed limits exist for a reason – everybody’s safety. Speeding can accompany aggressive driving, but it does not always. When a vehicle travels at a speed greater than the one deemed appropriate for that roadway, its driver cannot react to hazards in time. At high speeds, it can be more difficult to control a motor vehicle and a driver is more likely to collide with the vehicles on the road that are moving at the correct speed.
Work with an Experienced Austin Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your related financial damages. To learn more about your rights as an injured victim or survivor, how the personal injury and wrongful death claim processes work, and Texas laws governing these types of claim, contact DJC Law today to schedule your initial consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.