Car accident lawyers at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers understand that it doesn’t matter how safe you are while behind the wheel; you can’t control others. Other drivers’ reckless and negligent actions can result in a serious car accident that impacts your health and life.
Unfortunately, car accidents happen all the time across the state. For example, in 2020, there were 303 vehicle-related fatalities. This is up from 254 in 2019. In 2021, there were more than 280 vehicle-related fatalities, showing that this upward trend isn’t slowing down.
You may wonder why so many car accidents are occurring across the state. The fact is, there are multiple factors leading to the increase in collisions. If you are in an accident with someone and suffer injuries, you may have the right to recover compensation. We recommend contacting our car accident lawyers at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers. Knowing some of the causes of these collisions is also beneficial, which can help you avoid becoming part of the statistic.
Common Causes of Connecticut Car Accidents
Many different factors can lead to a Connecticut car accident. Knowing some of the most common causes can help you avoid being an accident victim.
Following too Closely
Following the vehicle ahead of you too closely is one of the top factors in these car accidents. In fact, it’s a contributing factor in over 14% of all car accidents in the state. In many situations, the accident is just a symptom of another issue, like reckless actions behind the wheel.
A good way to prevent these accidents is to remember the “three-second rule.” This rule states that when you are traveling behind another car, you should choose a point the driver passes (such as a sign, line on the road, or something else), then count seconds in “Mississippi’s.” If you pass the point you chose before reaching “three Mississippi,” slow down and give the driver ahead of your more space.
Driving Under the Influence
Intoxicated drivers don’t account for a large percentage of accidents in Connecticut; however, it is the main cause of fatal auto accidents in this state. Some people don’t realize how even one drink can impact their ability to drive safely. In fact, having a BAC of just 0.01% can reduce your reaction times behind the wheel. This means it increases the likelihood that you will be involved in or cause a car accident.
Every driver needs to abstain from using any type of alcohol, recreational drugs, or even new medications before they drive. It’s also necessary for drivers to report reckless drivers on the road before they are involved in an accident.
Failing to Grant the Right of Way
If you fail to grant the right of way, you may cause an accident. In fact, this results in one out of eight accidents in the state. The reason this happens varies based on the situation. Some of the most common issues include the failure to yield to a pedestrian, dangerous left turns, merging problems, and turning against a traffic light, to name a few.
It doesn’t matter the cause; this type of accident usually occurs because of careless driving and drivers who don’t pay attention to what is happening around them. If you want to avoid causing this type of accident, you should practice defensive driving. This means stopping before turning at a stoplight or intersection and being ready for other drivers to make the wrong decision. It’s better to wait for another vehicle to pass than to make a turn if it is potentially unsafe to do so.
Speeding
One in every 10 Connecticut car accidents is the direct result of someone speeding. Unfortunately, too many drivers don’t realize how dangerous it can be to go just five or 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. When you speed, it is much harder to control your vehicle.
Additionally, the impact of a speeding accident is always more than a collision that occurs at the posted speed limit. This means speed is much more likely to cause severe injuries and fatalities. In some situations, speeding is caused by distracted or aggressive driving. If you see that you are going faster than the speed limit, refocus on driving and slow down.
Driver Loses Control
Losing control of your vehicle can also cause a serious, injury-causing accident. It may also lead to fatalities. Sometimes, accidents where you lose control are caused by poor weather conditions. However, more commonly, they are caused by speeding or improper vehicle maintenance.
Failed brakes and tire blowouts contribute to losing control of your vehicle. Because of this, it is important to have your tires rotated at the proper intervals based on your manufacturer’s handbook. Doing this can help prevent these types of accidents.
Protecting Your Rights After a Connecticut Car Accident
As you can see from the statistics, car accidents in Connecticut are very common. Unfortunately, they happen every day. While some are just minor fender benders, others leave victims seriously injured and can even result in fatalities.
If you are involved in a car accident that is caused by another person’s recklessness or negligence, you can recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Get in touch with a car accident lawyer from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers to find out more about your rights and the type of compensation you may be able to receive.
The first step is to call our offices to schedule a free, initial, no-obligation consultation. We can discuss your case and your needs. You can count on our legal team to help you get through this difficult time and recover the compensation you are entitled to.
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