35 Car Crash Causes Resulting in Negligence Claims
Your State’s Motor Vehicle Code and Jury Instructions Address Many of the Leading Causes of Car Accidents
Auto accidents injure millions of Americans and kill tens of thousands of people yearly.
Although the facts surrounding each motor vehicle collision are unique, many car crashes have something in common: they are avoidable.
This article examines the top car crash causes.
We have two reasons for doing this:
First, we hope this article serves as a refresher on what drivers and passengers can do to increase traffic safety and reduce vehicle collisions.
Second, provide ways to win a personal injury case by proving another driver’s negligence harmed you or a loved one. This article discusses many dangerous driving behaviors that have served as the basis for awarding damages in personal injury cases because they violate the reasonable person standard under common law or a statute to keep the roads safe.
Keep reading to learn more about complying with traffic rules.
And if you want to know if you have a case or to discuss hiring one of Virginia’s best car accident lawyers, call us at (804) 251-1620 or (757) 810-5614.
Examples of Driving Behaviors that Cause Motor Vehicle Collisions
Common examples of driver actions leading to traffic tickets, jail time, and a finding of negligence and having to pay damages through a settlement or verdict include the following:
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in the United States of America.
This fact should not surprise anyone.
Look at other drivers the next time you are on the road. Chances are good that you will see at least one other driver checking their phone or texting while operating the car. And this activity takes their eyes off the road and limits them to using one hand.
Distracted driving examples include:
- Sending or reading an email while driving
- Texting while driving
- Holding a cell phone and talking while driving
- Rubbernecking (for example, looking at something, such as a car crash, out the window instead of focusing in front of you)
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Talking to passengers while driving
- Changing the music while driving
- Wearing earphones, headphones, or AirPods while driving (See Code Section 46.2-1078)
Although the dangers of distracted driving are widely known, this problem worsens because more people use their cell phones and tablets more often.
So, cut down on distractions while driving to increase traffic safety.
2. Speeding
We know many people speed. Indeed, many drivers go faster than the speed limit, no matter the road type: interstate, highway, city street, byway, or country lane.
But speed limits are put in place for a reason.
Unfortunately, speeding is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes because it increases the likelihood of losing control of the car and decreases the time available for you or others to react and avoid harm.
For example, you can avoid the bicyclist that swerved into your lane if you drive the speed limit or slower.
In addition, the greater the car’s speed, the greater the force at impact. And high-energy crashes usually cause more severe injuries.
There are two ways that speeding plays a role in auto accident lawsuits.
First, a defendant driver is negligent if they were driving their vehicle faster than the maximum speed limit at the time and place of the collision. The more miles per hour over the speed limit they traveled, the more likely the judge or jury will find this factor caused the crash.
Second, the fact finder may determine a driver was negligent if they drove their car within the posted speed limit but faster than they should have based on the weather or roadway conditions. For example, going the speed limit in a downpour or blizzard may still be negligent or reckless driving.
Pay special attention to how fast you go in the areas listed below, as special speed limits may apply:
- Bridges
- Bridge tunnels, such as the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
- Highway safety corridors (double the fine in Virginia)
- Highway work zones (including construction sites)
- Residential districts
- School crossings
- School zones
3. Drunk Driving
Driving drunk affects your muscular movement and hand-eye coordination.
And impairment in these areas may cause an auto accident.
Courts may hold a drunk driver liable for punitive damages if the driver refuses to submit to a test of their blood alcohol content at the accident scene or if the test shows a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher (roughly twice the legal limit in Virginia).
4. Running a Red Light (Failure to Obey a Steady Red Light)
As children, we learn that red means stop.
Nothing changes when you start driving.
The failure to stop (or stay stopped) at a red light before ensuring it is safe to keep going is a common cause of vehicle collisions.
5. Running a Stop Sign (Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign)
If you drive through a red stop sign, you may strike a pedestrian or car with the right of way.
Come to a complete stop and check in all directions before continuing after a stop sign.
6. Drowsy Driving
Driving tired impairs your judgment and may even cause you to fall asleep behind the wheel.
These factors increase the likelihood that you will have a car crash.
So, pull over and rest if you are having trouble staying awake while driving.
An injury – or worse – isn’t worth pushing through the drowsiness.
7. Driving under the Influence of Drugs (Prescription Medication or Illegal Drugs)
Some drugs slow your coordination, impair judgment, and increase your reaction times.
And other drugs make you less inhibited and more aggressive.
None of these things is good for driving.
8. Driving Too Slowly
Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as a person who is speeding.
Driving significantly slower than the speed limit may impede and stop normal and reasonable traffic flow, creating a bottleneck on the road. And this bottleneck creates the potential for an automobile accident.
Indeed, the police or state troopers may give you a traffic citation for impeding traffic by slow speed or failing to drive at the approximate speed authorized for the lane on a highway that designates a slow-moving traffic lane (usually the lane on the far right).
9. Driving the Wrong Way or On the Wrong Side of the Road
Some streets, especially in Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and Roanoke, are one-way.
If you are not paying attention or are unfamiliar with where you are driving, you may go the wrong way on a one-way street. And this may cause a head-on collision.
This danger is also present when you fail to drive on the right side of the highway.
10. Following Too Closely (Failure to Follow Another Vehicle at a Safe Distance or “Tailgating”)
You may be in a rush but give the cars in front of you space.
Tailgating other vehicles increases the chances of a collision and a traffic ticket.
Some organizations recommend the three-second rule to determine a safe following distance on roadways. Under this rule, you should be able to count to at least three before you reach the same point as the car ahead of you.
11. Taking Up Too Much of the Road
You owe a general duty of care to other drivers on the road.
And this duty includes staying in the lanes marked for traffic unless you are lawfully overtaking and passing another person while using ordinary care.
Crowding other vehicles by driving in the center or crossing double solid lines increases the risk that someone will make an error and cause a crash.
12. Failing to Drive When There Is a Green Light
As with red lights, you must also obey green traffic lights.
Failing to drive or stopping at a green light at an intersection increases the risk of a crash because other cars expect you to go.
13. Driving for Too Long without Taking a Break
Driver fatigue is a common problem and cause of motor vehicle accidents, especially tractor-trailer crashes.
This is because fatigue impairs our judgment and slows our reactions.
Take a break if you are driving long distances. For example, driving a car for more than 13 hours in a 24-hour period is unlawful.
14. Improper Turns
Many vehicle collisions occur when one car turns without having the right of way.
For example, the following acts increase the likelihood of a traffic wreck:
- An illegal right turn on red
- An illegal left turn on red
- Improper U-turns in business districts, at places other than intersections, and on curves or hills when approaching vehicles are invisible.
- Unauthorized right turns from spots other than the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
- Unauthorized left turns from other than the lane nearest the center line on a two-way road.
15. Failing to Signal a Stop or Turn Properly
You must give the required signal when starting, backing (reversing), stopping, or turning the vehicle and check to ensure you can move safely.
16. Failing to Yield the Right of Way
One driver’s failure to yield the right of way is the cause of many car crashes.
For example, you must yield the right of way in these situations:
- When two vehicles enter an intersection at the same time, the driver of the car on the left must yield to the driver of the vehicle on the right.
- You must obey “yield the right of way” signs at intersections.
- A driver approaching or entering a traffic circle must yield to the driver already in the loop.
- A driver turning left must yield to an oncoming vehicle.
- A driver entering a public highway or sidewalk from a private road must stop and yield the right of way to others.
- A driver must yield to emergency vehicles.
- A driver must yield to funeral processions under police escort.
- A driver must yield to pedestrians in clearly marked crosswalks and at intersections.
17. Stopping the Vehicle Where You Shouldn’t
Do what you can to avoid becoming an obstacle to other vehicles.
Stopping a car, bus, or truck on the highway to unload passengers or cargo is unlawful.
Similarly, failing to use flashing signals when stopped may earn you a ticket.
But, if you must stop your car because it broke down or you had an accident or an emergency, use a suitable warning device such as cones, lights, or flares.
18. Improper Passing
Both the vehicle passing, and the vehicle being passed, have obligations under the law.
For example, the driver overtaking and passing another car traveling in the same direction must:
- Have a clear view of the left lane.
- Ensure no oncoming traffic and enough time to pass the vehicle safely before reaching ongoing traffic.
- Give the car it is passing enough space.
- Return to the right side of the highway when well clear of the vehicle passed.
And the overtaken car must:
- Not drive faster when being passed to prevent the passing vehicle from returning to the lane
- Refuse to give way to the overtaking vehicle.
19. Improper Lane Changing
Weaving in and out of traffic increases the risk of an accident.
20. Failing to Maintain Windshield Wipers
Every motor vehicle must have mechanically or electrically operated windshield wipers that clean both sides of the windshield.
Failure to have windshield wipers that operate properly impairs your vision and may cause a crash.
21. Bad Weather (Rain, Snow, Ice, Fog, Wind, or Hail)
Bad weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, fog, wind, or hail, may reduce visibility or cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
22. Driving at Night
You are likelier to be involved in a deadly car crash at night.
23. Teen Drivers
Teen drivers are new drivers.
And this inexperience increases the risk of a crash.
24. Railroad Crossings
Some railroad crossings need more signage and better alert signals. These factors, in combination with the train’s speed and how long it takes to stop, increase the risk of vehicle collisions at railroad crossings.
25. Animals
One study found that more than one million animal-related collisions happen yearly in the United States, resulting in more than 10,000 injuries and billions of dollars in healthcare property damage.
26. Poor Road Conditions (Potholes)
Hitting a pothole can damage your tires and rims and cause alignment problems.
But that’s not the only harm a pothole can cause.
In addition to damaging vehicles, a pothole can cause you to lose control of your car and crash from the impact or because you swerve to avoid it.
27. Tire Blowouts
Using inadequate tires (studded tires, insufficient tire tread) or tire failure causes more than 10,000 motor vehicle accidents annually due to loss of control.
28. Failing to Fasten Materials in the Vehicle
Unsecured cargo that flies from the car or tractor-trailer may hit someone else and cause a crash or injury.
29. Failing to Keep a Proper Lookout for Other Vehicles or Pedestrians
All drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists must look for other persons and vehicles. This means you must use ordinary care to look in all directions for people, cars, and objects that may affect your driving or cause a collision.
30. Failing to Maintain or Turn on Headlights.
Every motor vehicle must have at least two headlights at the front of and on opposite sides of the car.
When the low beams are on, the headlights must be non-glaring and capable of showing persons and objects at least 100 feet ahead.
When the high beams are on, the headlights must be capable of showing persons and objects at least 350 feet ahead.
31. Failing to Maintain Taillights
The rear of every motor vehicle must have two red lights visible from 500 feet in clear weather.
32. Failing to Maintain Brake Lights
Every motor vehicle must have at least two brake lights that show a red or amber light visible from a distance of 500 feet in clear weather.
Keep your brake lights functioning to prevent the negligent driver from raising a contributory negligence defense.
33. Failing to Keep Windows Clear
Use ordinary care to keep your car’s windows transparent to maintain a proper lookout for other vehicles, people, and obstacles.
34. Failing to Maintain or Properly Use Brakes
Every car, truck, or bus must have brakes in good working order, meaning they are capable of stopping the vehicle within the required stopping distance found in Virginia Code Section 46.2-1067 when the car is traveling at 20 miles per hour on a dry, level stretch of highway in good condition.
In Virginia, the required stopping distances for motor vehicles are:
- 25 feet for all passenger motor vehicles, except buses and antique vehicles
- 25 feet for motor vehicles considered antique vehicles and that have two-wheel brakes
- 30 feet for motorcycles or autocycles
- 40 feet for buses, trucks, and tractor-trailers
35. Tight and Blind Curves
Visibility is critical to avoiding car crashes.
Tight and blind curves decrease visibility, increasing the risk of accidents.
Follow These Tips to Stay Safe and Recover Damages When Someone Else’s Negligence Causes You Harm on the Roadways
Automobiles have increased our quality of life.
But unsafe use of them causes crashes and devastation.
Follow these tips to increase roadway safety.
Or, if you are the victim of someone else’s carelessness, use the law to recover compensation to make you whole.
Our personal injury law firm gets top-dollar car accident settlements for victims of others’ carelessness.
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