Considering the sheer volume of cars on the roads these days, traffic accidents are in fact quite common. In numbers alone, it’s the most common cause of workplace injury in Colorado and the U.S. in general.
Each year, traffic accidents cost upwards of $200 billion according to figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
But what causes so many wrecks?
Continue reading to learn more about the most common reasons traffic accidents occur. Awareness of these causes can help drivers like you be aware of the many dangers you can encounter on the road.
1. Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
It’s estimated that around 12,000 people are killed each year due to DUI and other alcohol-related accidents. Even though DUI is illegal in all 50 states, it’s still quite common. If you’ve had too much to drink, call a cab or a friend to give you a ride home.
2. Distracted driving
We’ve spent considerable time warning drivers around Denver and Colorado of the dangers of distracted driving. Statistics certainly back up our claims of the dangers of being distracted behind the wheel. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that 25 to 50 percent of all traffic accidents are caused by distracted drivers. Distracted driving is a pretty broad concept and can involve anything that takes your eyes and focus off of the road.
Like DUI, speeding is illegal but that doesn’t stop many drivers. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that 1/3 of all traffic fatalities are due to speeding…IIHS data also shows that as many as 900 Americans each month lose their lives due to speeding.
4. Driving while fatigued or drowsy
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 100,000 traffic accidents each year occur due to driver fatigue or drowsiness. It’s said that driving while fatigued can in fact be as dangerous as driving under the influence.
5. Driving in adverse weather conditions
As you know from driving around Denver and the mountains in the winter, more traffic accidents occur during snow or rainy conditions. Bad weather like heavy rain and snow not only reduces visibility, it also increases the chance you could lose control of your vehicle.
Besides the causes of traffic accidents, here are a few chilling statistics every driver should consider:
- A person is injured in a traffic accident every 10 seconds in the U.S.
- A person is killed in a traffic accident every 12 minutes in the U.S.
- For those between the ages of 5 and 34, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in the U.S.
- In 2009, over 2.3 million people in the U.S. were sent to a hospital for treatment following an accident
As you can see, traffic accidents are quite common and happen daily around Denver. Most of these accidents are in fact caused by driver negligence.
If you’ve been involved in an accident due to another driver’s negligence or behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, property damage, medical treatment and pain and suffering. Contact traffic accident attorneys at Denver’s Babcock Law Firm today for a free consultation to learn more.