Underlying Causes of Minnesota Car Accidents

Being in a car accident isn’t only devastating and scary, but it can change your life in a few seconds. The fact of the matter is that many causes of automobile accidents are preventable. When other drivers are driving recklessly or negligently, it is usually innocent people that pay the price.

If you have sustained injuries in an accident that was due to someone else’s negligence, you probably have a lot of questions about your legal rights, including how to seek compensation for your injuries, and how to deal with the insurance companies.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go at this alone; there are experienced car accident lawyers in St. Paul that can help determine if you are eligible to pursue a claim for compensation for your injuries. Here are the most underlying causes of Minnesota car accidents. 

Distracted Driving

Modern technology has provided the opportunity for people to stay in connect with family and loved ones, unfortunately, it also encourages drivers to use their phones more frequently, including while they are driving.

Reading and replying to text messages is one of the most common causes of automobile crashes resulting from distracted driving. Other causes of distracted driving may include changing the radio station, eating while driving, applying cosmetics or fixing your hair, and changing the GPS on the navigation system.

The best way to reduce the risk of automobile accidents due to being distracted is to turn your phone off while driving and avoid doing other things that can wait until you park your vehicle.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a leading cause of fatal automobile accidents. Driving while intoxicated is unsafe, and it causes drivers to partake in unsafe behaviors while behind the wheel, including driving erratically, swerving, and it reduces your reaction time.

Driving after consuming just one cocktail can put you as well as other drivers on the road at a significantly high risk of a fatal accident. The best way to avoid the risk of being involved in an accident while using alcohol or drugs is to simply not drive; instead contact a friend, family member, or public ride service to drive you.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving can include a wide range of behaviors, such as road rage, tailgating, or cutting off another driver. These actions can endanger the lives of drivers on the road and reckless driving will put everyone at risk. In many situations, reckless driving is a criminal offense, and it can lead to serious injuries, even fatalities.

If you have been injured in Minnesota due to another driver’s reckless driving, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following the accident.

Fatigue

If you drive while fatigued, it’s important to understand that it has the same effects on your brain as driving while intoxicated. Studies have shown that driving fatigued is as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Driving fatigued is especially dangerous for commercial drivers and those that drive early in the morning or late at night. Driving while sleepy significantly slows your reaction time, and it increases the risk of missing potential hazards, such as stopped vehicles. To reduce the risk of getting involved in an accident due to fatigue, pull over to a safe location and take a short nap. 

Road Debris

One of the most common reasons for road debris is when construction workers and road crews fail to remove all debris from their worksite and when counties or cities fail to repair the roads.

Road debris creates hazardous road conditions. If you have been injured while driving due to road debris, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. It’s important to keep in mind that certain types of injury claims against the government, for public roads, may be more complex and difficult to prove than other types of personal injury claims for driving-related injuries. A personal injury attorney can review your case and help determine if you may be able to pursue a claim for compensation.

Weather Conditions

Minnesota winters can be brutal for drivers. Unfortunately, it’s not only the winter snow and ice that can lead to serious accidents, rain and even driving towards the sunshine can put you and other drivers at risk of an accident. Although you can’t control the weather, you do have the ability to control how you respond to it while driving.

In poor weather conditions, it’s essential that you slow down and be aware of your surroundings, including stalled vehicles or vehicles that have gone partially off of the road. 

Vehicle Malfunction

Vehicle owners have a responsibility to properly maintain their automobiles. Vehicles that aren’t properly maintained can malfunction, and often it’s while you are driving and least expect a problem.

Some of the most common vehicle malfunctions that lead to serious automobile accidents often include tires blowing and failing brakes. If you were involved in an accident due to a vehicle’s owner failing to maintain their vehicle, contact your personal injury attorney. 

Not Following the Rules of the Road

Running red lights, illegal turns, passing in unsafe conditions and speeding can all lead to serious, even fatal automobile collisions. Driving at high speeds puts you at significant risk of causing a collision because it increases the stopping distance and prevents you from seeing oncoming hazards, which can prevent you from stopping at a safe distance.

It is illegal to drive over the posted speed limit; even 5 miles over the posted limit is dangerous, so the easiest way to reduce the risk of an accident or legal consequences is to slow down.

It is extremely important to keep in mind that if you are driving without regard for the other drivers on the road, it can lead to serious injuries, expensive legal consequences, and even fatalities. If you have been involved in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, it’s important you contact a personal injury as soon as possible following the accident.

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