Although there are many types of car accidents in West Palm Beach, each type falls under one of two categories. An accident is either driver error, or something else. Find out more about the common causes of car accidents and how a car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach can help you overcome the effects of your accident.
DRIVER ERROR
The first category of car accidents are those caused by driver error. Whenever a driver makes a mistake that causes a collision, they are guilty of driver error. Everyone makes mistakes, but those mistakes can have serious consequences.
Here’s a look at some common examples of driver error:
1. Distracted Driving
The human brain can only process so much. While you’re driving, your brain has a lot to take in. In fact, there’s so much going on that it can’t handle other distractions. For that reason, driving and performing other tasks often causes car accidents.
Distracted driving comes in many forms. One common form is texting and driving. As people rely more on texting for communication, they are more attached to their phones. But trying to text or read a text while driving takes your eyes off of the road.
Another example of distracted driving is talking. If you find yourself in the midst of a deep conversation with a passenger, you can’t give the road the attention it needs. An accident is a real possibility.
2. Drinking and Driving
In Palm Beach County, 63 people died in DUI crashes between 2014 and 2016. Many other DUI accidents didn’t result in fatalities but did involve serious injuries.
Alcohol has a significant impact on an individual’s cognitive abilities. When you drink and drive, you have limited vision, slower reaction time, and impaired judgment. This makes you a danger to yourself and others on the road.
3. Driving While Exhausted
If you’re overtired, you might notice a few side effects. Exhausted individuals usually have slow reaction times and a feeling of drowsiness. For that reason, driving while exhausted is similar to driving while drunk.
There are two main risks to driving while exhausted. First, you could fall asleep while driving. Secondly, you could react too slowly to something. You might not see a traffic light turn red, or fail to notice a braking vehicle in front of you.
4. Speeding
Another cause of collisions is speeding, and it’s also an example of driver error. Typically, more teen drivers are guilty of speeding than adult drivers.
Speeding drivers have less control of their vehicles and less time to react to situations. As a result, they are more likely to be involved in accidents. They might not notice a hazard or be able to slow down for a traffic light.
NON-DRIVER ERROR ACCIDENTS
Sometimes, an accident isn’t caused by a driver. Instead, it could be caused by one of several other reasons:
1. Improper Road Maintenance
A road with potholes or debris on it can be dangerous to the most cautious of drivers. When better road maintenance might have prevented an accident, a third party could be responsible. The local government or maintenance crew could be to blame.
2. Bad Weather
When the rainy season comes around, the roads can get hazardous. The wet roads become slippery, and drivers can hydroplane or lose control. No matter how carefully you might drive, you could still be at risk of an accident.
3. Vehicle Defects
Automakers and auto parts manufacturers have the responsibility of creating reliable vehicles or parts. However, that doesn’t always occur. A defective part or design could be the reason for your accident. For instance, bad brakes could result in you rear-ending a vehicle on the road.
4. Poor Signage
If a roadway does not have proper signage, you could be a victim of an accident. At times, construction crews neglect to warn drivers of dangers. But at other times, the local government is to blame.
WORKING WITH A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER IN WEST PALM BEACH
Negligence is a common theme that resonates through nearly all car accidents with injuries. If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another, you need to contact a dependable West Palm Beach car accident lawyer. 1800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer to review your case with no out-of-pocket costs. Call today.