There are many reasons why car accidents occur and how many of those accidents result in serious injuries to victims. One of the most tragic reasons – because it is often avoidable – is reckless driving. National statistics show that there are more than 2,000 people killed each year in the United States due to reckless driving. Injured victims may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses their injuries have caused them. A car accident lawyer can help. Some of the more common types of reckless driving acts are as follows.
Driving Under the Influence
Despite the warnings, too many people make the decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after they have been drinking. They put themselves at risk as well as the lives of those around them, including other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
The problem is not limited to alcohol-related crashes. America is struggling with a drug epidemic. This is not only evident by the number of people overdosing every day, but also by the number of people who are under the influence of narcotics while they are driving. Safety advocates warn that collisions caused by those under the influence of drugs while driving are becoming increasingly common and pose a serious danger to everyone on the roads.
Speeding
Speed limits are intended to keep everyone safe on the road. Yet far too often a driver thinks they do not have to obey that speed limit. As a result, someone is injured or a fatality occurs. When a vehicle is speeding, no one on the road is safe, not pedestrians, cyclists, other commuters, and not even the driver who is speeding. Accidents involving a speeding vehicle can be much more severe because of the increased force of the vehicle when it hits its victims.
Distracted Driving
Like all causes of reckless driving, distracted driving is another behavior that is against the law. Various studies and educational programs over the years have warned drivers not to engage in activities that will distract them when they are supposed to be focused on the road. Yet, people still use their phones, check their text messages, post on social media, groom themselves, and perform other activities that distract their attention. All too often it results in a crash with serious repercussions.
Drowsy Driving
Many safety advocates warn that if you drive when you are too tired, it is just as dangerous as driving when you have been drinking. Drowsy driving is often a cause of truck accidents because of the long hours truckers spend on the roads. Passenger vehicle drivers are susceptible to this as well.
Contact a Car Accident Law Firm Today
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another party or party, you need a skilled attorney, like a car accident lawyer from a law firm like Tuttle Law, P.A.