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Car Accidents On Tuesday, June 8, 2021
No matter how careful you are, you risk the chance of getting into a car accident every time you drive in Connecticut. Dangerous, reckless and distracted drivers put everyone else on the road at risk. You may be able to decrease your odds of being in a collision by learning the top causes of motor vehicle accidents in your area. The following are the five most common reasons for car crashes in Connecticut, according to crash statistics.
Speeding is a dangerous driver habit that can lead to catastrophic and fatal car accidents. Driving too fast for conditions can make it impossible for a driver to safely control the vehicle, especially when unforeseen circumstances arise, such as a pedestrian stepping out into traffic. Speeding also increases the severity of the impact in a collision, often leading to more serious injuries.
Speeding does not only mean exceeding the posted speed limit in Connecticut; drivers have a responsibility to drive at a speed that is reasonably safe for the circumstances and road conditions. In bad weather such as rain or snow, a driver may need to drive slower than the speed limit. Other types of reckless driving are also dangerous, such as weaving in-between traffic, tailgating and aggressive driving.
Driver inattention is one of the deadliest problems on the roads in Connecticut and throughout the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 victims lost their lives in distracted driving accidents in 2019 alone. These car accidents are always preventable; they happen when a driver decides to focus on something other than driving, such as sending a text message.
Driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance is against the law in all 50 states. Sadly, hundreds of drivers in Connecticut make the reckless decision to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol every year. Alcohol-impaired fatal car accident statistics for 2018 reported that 115 people in Connecticut died due to drunk drivers. This represented almost 40 percent of all car accident deaths in the state.
When a driver is intoxicated, he or she is unable to make smart decisions, use appropriate judgment, react quickly to changing roadway situations and physically control the vehicle. Intoxication also increases the risk of reckless driver behaviors, such as speeding or racing. This can lead to more severe car accidents and a greater risk of fatalities.
Traffic laws are in place to keep everyone on the road safe. All drivers have a legal obligation to obey the traffic laws and roadway rules that apply to them. For drivers, these rules include speed limits, rights-of-way, passing and turning laws, traffic control signals, and roadway signs. Breaking any traffic law, no matter how minor, increases the risk of a vehicle collision. In Connecticut, a driver who breaks a traffic law and causes an accident will have to pay for the other driver’s bills.
Proper vehicle maintenance is an important driver responsibility. All vehicle owners and operators should inspect their cars regularly and make repairs as necessary to ensure they are in proper working order. A driver should maintain the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights and windows. Failing to properly maintain a vehicle can increase the odds of a car accident. For example, a car cannot come to a stop and avoid a collision if the brakes do not work properly.
If you were recently injured in a car accident caused by one of these top driver mistakes, contact a car accident attorney in New Haven for a free consultation. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the other driver’s insurance company. An attorney can help you defend your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.