What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina?

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of accident-related injury and death in the United States, including North Carolina. North Carolina is one of the top five states where car accidents prove fatal. What might seem like a minor brush with another car can have lasting consequences for your physical and mental health. These accidents might also add a major strain on your finances and inflict serious property damage that can be hard to compensate for without legal recourse. If you or your loved one got injured in a car accident, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver to obtain compensation for your financial and property damage in addition to any physical injury. Proving negligence is one of the most crucial steps towards obtaining financial compensation for your damages and understanding the causes of car accidents is important to get an in-depth view of how to deal with different lawsuits related to car crash incidents. Here are some of the top causes of car accidents in North Carolina. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car crashes in North Carolina. Any activity that takes the driver’s attention off the road is likely to result in catastrophic traffic accidents. For instance, using a cellphone or adjusting controls on the multimedia console can divert your attention from the incoming traffic and result in devastating crashes that can cause lasting damage to those involved in the incident. Although multiple campaigns have targeted this dangerous driving practice, distracted driving continues to be one of the most common causes of traffic accidents in the United States. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), distracted driving is responsible for a quarter of all car accidents in North Carolina.

Over Speeding

Driving above the speed limit results in nearly 30 percent of all car accidents in North Carolina. Speeding impairs a driver’s reflexes and reduces the time they must react to any abrupt traffic development that might put them or others in danger. Consequently, the danger of severe injury and death increases significantly when an accident eventually occurs due to driving over the speed limit. It is negligent for someone to be going over the required speed limit. They understand the damage that can be done. It’s best to get out of a speeder’s way when you see them on the road. Protect yourself when on the road.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving refers to egregiously negligent behavior that puts everyone on the road in grave danger. It includes all dangerous behaviors like running red lights, tailgating, and switching between lanes, and accounts for nearly 10 percent of all accidents in North Carolina. Although the state has strict laws against this practice, it continues to be a major cause of accident-related fatality. This type of driving can lead to all sorts of damage so it’s best to stay out of their way if you see one while driving. If you happen to see one that you think can be a real danger, call 911. 

Conclusion

Car accidents are a major cause of accident-related deaths in North Carolina. Hundreds of thousands of accidents claim lives due to dangerous driving practices, including distracted or impaired driving, reckless driving, speeding, and more. If you or your loved one got involved in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the driver to obtain compensation for your losses. Contacting an experienced car accident lawyer at Riddle & Brantley in North Carolina is one of the first steps to ensure that no person or entity would violate your legal rights.