Nearly every day, thousands of people suffer from serious auto accidents. It is estimated that nearly 50,000 people die from auto accidents every year with more than 120 people suffering fatal injuries every day. This statistic also estimates that an average of nearly 3 million people are injured by vehicle collisions a year. These accidents often lead to debilitating medical conditions, long-term medical care, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering.
What causes so many auto accidents every day? There are a few common actions that may increase the amount of vehicle collisions. Here is what you should know:
1. Driving while drunk
Alcohol is a substance that can drastically reduce a person’s judgment, motor controls and reaction speed. These are all important qualities for safe driving. Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents. Drunk driving accidents may happen more often at night and around busy streets.
2. Driving while distracted
A driver often must keep focus on the road to avoid accidents. However, a driver may become distracted when talking to passengers, looking at their phone, eating or applying makeup, for example. Any kind of driving distraction can increase auto accidents.
3. Driving while drowsy
A person may become tired while driving. This can happen if they were working a late shift, waking up early for work or driving long hours without taking breaks. When a driver becomes drowsy, they may be more likely to drift into other lanes, fail to stop at lights and fall asleep behind the wheel.
Victims of auto accidents may need to reach out for legal guidance to learn how they can recover compensation for their injuries and losses.