The number of car accidents annually has been declining for years, but the numbers are still depressing. In 2017, about 37,133 people were killed in car crashes. Did you know more people are killed in city car crashes than rural-area crashes? Also, an increasing number of pedestrians and bicyclists are being killed by motor vehicle operators. But why are there so many car crashes? Listed below are a few common reasons.
1. Failures to Use Designated Lanes:
A recent report found that operators not staying in their designated lanes caused close to 33 percent of accidents in the country. A lot of these accidents took place on U.S. highways. It goes without saying, but motorists must be very careful when switching lanes. More often than not, drivers don’t take the necessary time to assess whether it’s safe or not to change lanes. Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer Jarrett Blakeley suggests taking a few precautions. Use your turn signals before switching lanes. Also, remember to only switch lanes one at a time. And of course, never cross solid yellow lines.
2. Rear-End Collisions:
Another report found that rear-end collisions make up 30 percent of car accidents. Rear-ending can cause severe injuries even on low impact accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Board has been advising automobile manufacturers to use Forward Collision Avoidance Systems to ensure vehicles automatically brake, even without the intervention of a driver, if a crash is imminent. Rear-end collisions can cause whiplash, broken bones, brain injuries, scarring, and even paralysis.
3. Blind Left Turns:
How many times have you been anxious while taking a left? While you may cross the intersection safely, the exact moment of the turn is when most accidents happen. There are several things that cause T-bonings: it could be because of a misjudgment of other drivers’ speeds, a miscalculation of the distance needed to cross the intersection, or even because of blind spots. Also, illegal maneuvers or failing to give others the right of way may result in an accident.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, contact Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer Jarrett Blakeley for help.