According to crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 20,160 people died in auto accidents in the first quarter of 2021, compared to 17,020 deaths during the first quarter of 2020. Despite the significant increase in vehicle safety, there are still a significant amount of car accident fatalities every day in the United States. If your family member has passed away in a fatal accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
There are many causes of fatal car accidents, and it is important to know why they occur so that you can try to avoid one from happening. Sometimes, just changing a few bad habits can make you a safer driver.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a main cause of car accidents, mainly because of widespread cellphone use and smartphone technology. There are thousands of car crashes each day that happen because someone is looking at their phone. The NHTSA reports that in 2019, 3,142 people lost their lives due to distracted driving accidents.
Driving While Impaired
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol has long been a major issue. Even with rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, impaired driving is still a leading cause of car accidents.
In Pennsylvania, a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08 and above is illegal to have if you are operating a vehicle. However, alcohol can still cause major impairments if your BAC level is below this limit.
Aggressive Driving
Being an aggressive driver puts you and everyone else on the road in danger. Aggressive driving can be driving too fast, tailgating, erratic turns, and abrupt lane changes. When someone drives aggressively, they could easily lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident. Also, it is difficult to react to an emergency if you are driving aggressively.
Speeding
Speeding is a form of aggressive driving. If someone is driving too quickly and they cannot brake in time when an unexpected problem appears, they could end up in an accident. Speeding puts the driver and other road users at risk. It is important to follow the speed limit and also to adjust your speed to the road conditions.
Additionally, speeding also contributes to the severity of an accident. Cars traveling at high speeds at the time of impact will likely cause severe or even fatal injuries.
West Chester Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Are Here to Help You After a Fatal Collision
If your family member has passed away in a fatal accident, then you may have legal options. Our West Chester car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. are here to answer all of your questions and help you through this difficult time. Call us today at 610-565-3701 or fill out our online form to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.