Nobody wants to think about their own mortality, but you are essentially risking your life every time you get behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 726 traffic fatalities in the state of Louisiana in 2015.
You can reduce the risk of getting into a serious collision by knowing some of the most common causes of car accidents and then taking steps to avoid or prevent them; however, you cannot rely on other motorists to do the same. If you were hurt in a car accident that someone else caused, contact Miller, Hampton & Hilgendorf to discuss your options for recovering compensation.
In the state of Louisiana, the statute of limitations for filing most personal injury lawsuits is only one year, so it is important that you begin the claims process as soon as possible. Call 225-343-2205 to schedule a case evaluation with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer.
Read on to learn about some of the most common causes of motor vehicle collisions:
- Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a serious problem around the nation. The NHTSA reports that it claimed 3,477 lives in 2015 alone.
Whenever you’re in the driver’s seat, make sure you keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Texting is one of most dangerous driving distractions because it requires yours eyes, hands, and attention. Once you start your vehicle, make it a point not to use your phone until you reach your destination.
- Speeding
Speeding alone may not necessarily cause an accident, but it creates circumstances under which fatal collisions can occur. For example, it is much easier to lose control of your vehicle when you are speeding, especially if road conditions are poor.
Speeding also makes it harder to respond to roadside hazards in time, and it requires significantly more stopping distance if you need to stop short.
- Following Too Closely
Tailgating is never a good idea. Other motorists can be unpredictable, and even if you think you have control of your own vehicle, there’s no way to be sure that the person in front of you has control of theirs. Following a car too closely increases the risk of causing a rear-end collision, so always leave plenty of stopping distance between you and the car in front of you.
- Drowsy Driving
Driving on limited sleep can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. All it takes to cause a serious collision is nodding off for a couple of seconds. Make sure you avoid getting behind the wheel unless you are well rested, and take steps to avoid fatigue during long road trips.
If you sustained debilitating injuries in a collision with a reckless or negligent driver, contact Miller, Hampton & Hilgendorf for quality legal guidance. We limit our practice to only three areas of law so we can provide clients with the best representation possible.
Call 225-343-2205 to schedule a consultation at our Baton Rouge car wreck law firm. You can learn more about car accident claims in Louisiana by visiting USAttorneys.com.
