What Are the Top 5 Causes of Car Accidents?

For many of us, driving is a significant part of our day-to-day lives. In fact, according to a recent Gallup poll, 83% of Americans drive more than once a week. Unfortunately, with so many vehicles on the road, it’s no surprise that car accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental injury and death. In 2023 alone, 2.44 million people were injured in traffic accidents and over 40,000 were killed, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

While some accidents are due to external factors such as poor weather conditions or wildlife, sadly, many are caused by the negligence of other drivers. Below, we’ll review the top five most common causes of car accidents, along with other less common, though still significant contributors.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is an umbrella term that describes any behavior that might divert a driver’s eyes from the road. This may include texting or talking on the phone, eating or drinking, adjusting a GPS, or engaging with passengers.

In 2023, there were 3,275 traffic fatalities and 324,819 injuries in the U.S. that involved a distracted driver, approximately 13% of the total number of accidents of that year. While this number has decreased slightly from the previous year, it still continues to be one of the five leading causes of death in car accident cases, according to the most recent distracted driving statistics from the NHTSA.

To avoid causing an accident as a result of distraction, drivers should always wait to respond to texts or calls until they are able to safely park their car. If a response is absolutely necessary, drivers should utilize hands-free devices to respond while the car is in operation.

Speeding

Whether drivers speed because they are late or simply for the thrill of it, speeding is an incredibly dangerous behavior that can not only raise the risk of an accident but its potential severity. In 2023, speeding contributed to 10,541 fatal car crashes, or 29% of all traffic fatalities recorded that year.

While everyone can be late or otherwise feel rushed, speeding is never worth it. Always adhere to posted speed limits and remember to adjust your speed according to road and weather conditions. You may also want to utilize cruise control, especially in areas where there are frequent changes in speed limits, such as school zones or between small towns.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving under the influence ranks high on the list when it comes to the top causes of car accidents. This type of behavior is defined as operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs—even legal ones. In 2023, DUI accidents claimed the lives of 12,429 people, not including over 2,000 additional lives lost from drivers who were under the legal BAC limit but may have still been slightly impaired.

While it can be difficult to know in the moment whether you are under the legal alcohol limit, it’s always safest to have others drive for you, whether it’s a taxi, rideshare, or public transportation. If you’re unsure whether your prescription drugs may impact your ability to safely operate a vehicle, be sure to ask your healthcare provider.

Weather Conditions

Though the likelihood for injury or death from a weather-related car accident is much lower than the previously mentioned causes in this list, weather remains a notable factor. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are over one million weather-related crashes each year, from rain to snow and fog.

Always check the weather forecast in your area before heading out on the road, and prepare accordingly. If the weather is expected to be particularly severe, consider staying at home. Sometimes, however, bad weather can come out of nowhere. When this happens, it’s often best to pull over and let the conditions clear up before continuing on your journey. If you must drive during extreme wind, snow, rain, or ice, moderate your speed to maintain traction.

Failure to Obey Traffic Laws

Traffic laws exist to protect you and other drivers from getting into preventable accidents. When these laws are ignored, the risk of injury and even death is heightened. According to the Federal Highway Administration, over a quarter of traffic fatalities occur at intersections. In many of these incidents, failing to yield, come to a complete stop, or utilize turn signals was a contributing factor. Drivers should always be aware of the right of way at intersections and pay attention to others who may be distracted or ignoring traffic laws.

Other Common Causes of Car Accidents

Beyond the common causes of accidents listed above, there are many other factors that may contribute to collisions. These include:

• Inexperienced drivers: According to the National Safety Council, there were over 5,500 accidents in 2023 that involved at least one teen driver.
• Wildlife collisions: There are 1-2 million accidents involving wildlife each year.
• Drowsiness: According to the NHTSA, around 100,000 crashes are caused by drowsy drivers each year, resulting in over 71,000 injuries.
• Maintenance issues: The NHTSA also cites maintenance issues as the cause of over 100,000 injuries and 2,600 deaths in 2023.

If You’ve Been in a Crash, Let Our Virginia Car Accident Lawyers Fight for You

Many things can go wrong while out on the road, and understanding the top causes of car accidents is essential for reducing your risk. That being said, even the most experienced and prepared drivers can’t always avoid an accident, and may fall victim to the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death due to a car accident, we encourage you to contact Huffman & Huffman for a consultation to review your options.