Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Dakota
28th January 2020
Everybody fears the possibility of being involved in a car accident. Driving by the scene of a car crash on the road can be extremely upsetting, as it often reveals totaled vehicles and injured victims. Unfortunately, even with the latest technological advancements in automobile safety, accidents continue to occur, mainly due to human error. Continue reading to find out the leading causes of car accidents in North Dakota and how to prevent them.
Speeding
Let’s admit it. We have all been in a situation where we speed up to pass a car only to see that same car next to us at a red light. So what’s the point of speeding? While it can save us a few minutes, it can also cost us our lives.
Going over the speed limit is the reason for more than one-third of all car accidents in the United States.
Speeding is dangerous because it means increased stopping distance, loss of vehicle control, and more severe car accidents and injuries.
While we can’t control other drivers on the road, we are certainly responsible for our own manner of driving and complying with the speed limit and regulations.
Drunk Driving
Because of drunk driving, one person dies every 50 minutes in the United States.
Many people don’t realize the seriousness of driving under the influence of alcohol and still decide to get on their cars after having a drink or two.
This poor choice can result in fatal car accidents and victims, including not only for the driver but also passengers, pedestrians, and other vehicles on the road.
Alcohol consumption impairs the vision, coordination, concentration, and affects the driver’s reflexes by slowing them down. This means that the driver might not be able to react to potential dangers as fast as if they were not intoxicated.
Fortunately, appointing a designated driver or simply taking a cab home can prevent a serious car accident.
Bad Weather
Bad weather conditions, such as rain and snowstorms, can cause slippery and icy roads, which can be challenging even for the most experienced drivers. North Dakota often experiences some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, including blizzards in the winter and tornado outbreaks in the summer.
Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable to such conditions, but all vehicles are susceptible to loss of stability, traction, and maneuverability.
Additionally, fog causes impaired visibility and can lead to car crashes due to the driver not being able to estimate the distance or to spot the danger. While we can’t always avoid driving in bad weather conditions, we can try to limit it by staying in when possible or pulling over and waiting it out.
Reckless Driving
Speed limits, traffic lights, and road signs exist to help regulate the flow of traffic. A driver can be considered to be driving recklessly when they are not complying with some or any of them.
Examples of reckless driving include:
- Not stopping at a stop sign
- Running red lights
- Not signaling when making a turn
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Braking too suddenly
- Not keeping distance
- Making illegal turns
- Texting while driving
Reckless driving is one of the main reasons for car accidents, which often result in severe injuries and death. However, following the rules of the road and driving carefully can prevent many of them.
It is important to stay alert and focused on the road in case of reckless drivers. If you spot one, make sure to change lanes and move out of their way to prevent a collision.
Distracted Driving
Many people feel confident in their driving skills, so they don’t consider eating, texting, changing the radio station, or even applying makeup as possible distractions.
However, any activity that takes your focus away from the road can potentially result in a car crash. In fact, distracted driving was the reason for 3166 deaths in 2017.
Next time you get behind the wheel, keep your focus on the road by lowering the volume of the radio. Additionally, avoid engaging in too much in conversation with your passengers or talking on the phone.
Nighttime Driving
Despite the lighter traffic at night, nighttime driving is more dangerous than daytime driving because of the reduced visibility. Our vision and ability to perceive depth and color are compromised in the dark.
Artificial lights help drivers stay safe on the road, but they are not nearly as strong as natural sunlight. Therefore, obstacles in the way like animals, dark-colored vehicles, and even pedestrians, can become difficult to spot.
Car accidents during night hours occur significantly more often than during the day. Therefore, we must drive carefully in order to prevent them.
Some tips for safe nighttime driving include cleaning your windshield, using anti-reflective eyeglasses, making sure your headlights function correctly, and keeping a distance from other vehicles on the road.
Have You Been Involved in a Car Accident?
Even if we follow all the rules and traffic regulations on the road, the risk of getting involved in a motor vehicle accident still exists. Fortunately, the lawyers at Sand Law are experienced in dealing with the many types of injuries caused by car accidents.
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a car accident in North Dakota, schedule a free consultation with the experienced lawyers at Sand Law online or by calling 701-609-1510.