Most drivers in Texas encounter an accident in their area at least once a day. In fact, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, there was one reportable car crash every 59 seconds in 2017. One person was injured every 2 minutes and 4 seconds, and one person was killed every 2 hours and 21 minutes. While 2017 showed a modest drop from 2016 in the percentage of accidents, the numbers are still not encouraging and indicate that driving is a dangerous activity in Texas. The Corpus Christi car accident lawyer with Carabin Shaw is aware of these risks and are here to help accident survivors seek the restitution they deserve. More on this website While negligent or distracted drivers cause most car accidents, reckless driving is also a major factor in Texas crashes. Examples of negligent driving include unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, running a stoplight or a stop sign, and rear-ending another vehicle. Examples of reckless driving include speeding, racing another car, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If the court finds a driver guilty of negligence, he or she might have to compensate the injured party for property damages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of income. If the negligent driver was also reckless, he or she might have to pay special damages in addition to the concrete damages listed above.

Causes of Auto Accidents

Though a unique set of circumstances precipitates every car accident and results in different injuries, losses, and damages, the Carabin Shaw car accident lawyer in Corpus Christi know that there are some common factors that contribute to car crashes, which include:

• Aggressive driving and road rage: Poor temperament or a false sense of control can lead some drivers to lose their patience and overlook their safety and the safety of their passengers and fellow drivers. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, accidents involving aggressive driving and road rage are responsible for injuring or killing roughly 1,500 people per year in the United States. Some behaviors associated with aggressive driving are rapid acceleration, tailgating, and cutting off other drivers.

• Alcohol and drug use: Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is always ill-advised. The Texas Department of Transportation states that there were 23,760 alcohol-related car crashes across the state in 2017 that resulted in either fatalities or injuries. The CDC reports that more than 1 million drivers were arrested in 2016 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. While exorbitant, this figure is only one percent of the 111 million self-reported incidents of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults. Auto injury lawyers serving Corpus Christi are aware of how big a problem alcohol-related car crashes are Texas, and they are equipped to best advocate for your interests.

• Driving while using a cell phone: In the past decade, the number of cell phone users has far surpassed the number of registered vehicles in the United States. Per car, that is a lot of distraction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving killed 3,450 people in 2016 alone. In 2015, 391,000 drivers were injured in distracted driving accidents. Today, cell phones are the most common cause of distracted driving.

To receive more information about car crash causes that can result in restitution, be sure to reach out to a Corpus Christi car accident lawyer with Carabin Shaw.