Being involved in a car accident in Asheville is incredibly stressful and nervewracking. Car accidents are common, with hundreds occurring each day. Of course, car wrecks aren’t all caused by the same factors. While an accident can stem from many different sources, the end result is always distressing and difficult to handle. If you’ve been in a car accident, a highly skilled personal injury lawyer in Asheville, NC, can help you get back on the road sooner rather than later.
Table of Contents
What are some common causes of car accidents?
All car accidents are upsetting, but understanding the cause of your accident can be the first step in getting the help you need. There are many different possible causes of a car accident. These can include:
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence
- Vehicle failure
- Road rage
- Weather/Natural elements
Some of these may seem redundant or obvious, but familiarizing yourself with all causes may help prevent future car accidents. Also, some of these factors are within your control while others are not.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is arguably the most common cause of car accidents nationwide. There are three different forms of distracted driving:
- Cognitive
- Visual
- Manual
Cognitive distracted driving happens when the driver is not mentally focused on controlling the vehicle. They may be tired or thinking about something else. They could also be engrossed in a conversation with a passenger in the vehicle. Another form of distracted driving, known as visual distracted driving, occurs when the person controlling the vehicle is not looking at the road ahead. They may be staring at a phone or radio, or looking at passengers or objects in the seats behind them. The final form of distracted driving is manual distracted driving, when one or both hands are preoccupied with eating, texting, or even something as trivial as changing the radio station. All of these forms can be dangerous, and avoiding each can help keep you safe on the road.
What role does vehicle maintenance play in reducing the risk of car accidents?
If a car isn’t kept in good shape, it can easily encounter problems while you’re on the road. Taking your car into a shop for regular inspections is a good way to make sure everything is running smoothly. Causes of possible vehicle failure can include:
- Faulty brakes
- Worn tires
- Faded headlights
- Unchecked engine
- Unchecked fluid levels
You can check and replace these yourself, or take your vehicle into your local auto repair shop and find out what work needs to be done. While occasionally vehicle failures occur spontaneously, keeping your car in proper shape can reduce the risk of an accident caused by vehicle failure.
How can road rage increase the chance of getting into a car accident?
Road range is the loss of temper while driving. It can be terrifying, whether it stems from you or from another driver. If you’re the victim of someone else’s road rage, you can feel like you have no control over what’s happening to you in your vehicle. When it comes to preventing your own road rage, there are a few different strategies you can take.
- Get a full night’s rest
- Don’t listen to intense music while driving
- Take deep breaths to calm down
- Think about possible consequences of your actions
- Pull over when you feel yourself getting frustrated
Never lose control of your emotions and make a situation worse, even if another person is being irresponsible with their car. Keep a wide distance away from anybody who is driving erratically or angrily so that you can avoid any of the consequences their actions may have.
How can weather conditions increase you risk of being involved in a car accident?
Most drivers will agree that driving in the rain induces much more stress than a ride on a sunny day. While small snowflakes may not pose much of a danger themselves, enough of them accumulated on the roads can make it hard to keep a straight path, especially for inexperienced drivers. Even if you’re experienced with operating a vehicle in winter weather, ice and snow can put you in danger of being hit by other drivers who may not be as well-versed in traveling in these elements.
Thunderstorms can have a combination of heavy rain, winds, lightning and thunder, all of which can confuse and disorient the person behind the wheel. It takes an experienced driver to handle these conditions, and it may be safest to stay home and wait for milder weather than to risk a journey in more extreme conditions.
What is considered driving while under the influence?
If you operate a motorized vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you are considered to be driving under the influence. A police officer can stop a person whom they suspect of driving under the influence and can take further measures to confirm if the individual is legally intoxicated. Drivers who display a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher are considered to be driving under the influence, and will most likely be arrested immediately. Any drug use paired with operating a vehicle is always grounds for an arrest.
Car accidents have a wide variety of causes. But when you become injured due to the negligent or willful act of another, you may be entitled to legal compensation. No matter what the factors may be in your specific situation, a highly skilled and experienced lawyer can assess the circumstances of a car accident in Asheville and determine if you have a solid case. Even if your situation does not fall under the umbrella of a personal injury matter, you can rest assured that you did everything in your power to look after your legal rights. Sometimes peace of mind is truly beyond value.