5 Common Causes of Tampa Car Accidents

Regardless of the cause of a car accident, nothing changes the fact that it puts all individuals involved at risk of serious injury or even death.

For example, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shares the following data on its website:

There were 33,244 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2019 in which 36,096 deaths occurred. This resulted in 11.0 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.11 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.

And that’s only accidents in which at least one person was killed. It does not take into consideration those that resulted solely in injuries.

When you understand the most common causes of car accidents, you are able to better protect against trouble. Here are five causes and information on how to stay safe:

1. Distracted driving

The statistics do not lie. Distracted driving — such as texting — is every bit as dangerous as it sounds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2019.

This is a dangerous behavior that puts you, your passengers, and other people on the road at risk of serious injury or death.

The best thing you can do is vow not to become distracted while driving. So, put your phone away, tell your passengers not to distract you, and pay attention to the road while you are behind the wheel.

2. Drinking and driving

Drinking and driving remains a major problem throughout the state of Florida, as well as every other part of the country. Even with strict laws in place — which can include large fines and prison time — some people do not think twice before consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel.

Get this: More than 25% of all traffic-related deaths are the direct result of alcohol impairment.

You do not have control over other drivers, but you do have full control over the decisions you make. Do not drink and drive.

3. Drowsy driving

This statistic from The National Safety Council will give you something to think about:

About half of U.S. adult drivers admit to consistently getting behind the wheel while feeling drowsy. About 20% admit to falling asleep behind the wheel at some point in the past year.

Protect yourself by doing these two things:

• Immediately pull to safety if you feel yourself becoming drowsy.
• Keep a close eye out for anyone, such as a trucker, who appears to be drowsy.

It is easy to assume that you are alert enough to safely reach your destination, but things have a way of changing quickly.

4. Reckless driving

There are many forms of reckless driving, such as speeding, running a red light or stop sign, and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

The more time you spend on the road, the more likely it is that you will spot a reckless driver. Should this happen, move as far away from them as possible.

Along with keeping your distance, make sure you personally obey the rules of the road at all times.

5. Inclement weather

In Florida, inclement weather can include things such as heavy rain, strong wind, and hailstorms. All of these things increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident.

When driving in less-than-ideal conditions, watch for others who are aggressively or carelessly operating their vehicle.

If you are concerned about your safety when driving in inclement weather, pull to the side of the road and wait for conditions to improve. It will slow you down, but it is better than taking a risk.

Even if you understand the common causes of car accidents and take steps to avoid them, you could still find yourself injured and wondering what to do next. After receiving medical treatment, file an insurance claim. You can then contact The Law Offices of Pardy & Rodriguez, P.A., for help obtaining compensation for your injuries and other damages. Contact us online or via phone at 407-602-6216 to set up a free consultation.