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Car Accident Causes

Written by: Dale G Casares PortraitDale Casares

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Being involved and injured in a Colorado, Idaho, or Montana car accident can be a challenging and traumatic experience. At the very least, it can be a frustrating experience even if there are no serious injuries involved. If you have been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s reckless behavior, you should contact a car accident lawyer immediately.

Unfortunately, nearly four million drivers get into traffic auto accidents every year in the United States. The Colorado Department of Transportation states that more than 690 people were killed in car accidents on Colorado roads in 2021. This shows an increase of 50% since 2011. But on the bright side, the state ranks relatively low nationwide for car accident-related deaths.

The Most Common Car Accident Causes

There are various causes of car accidents, with the vast majority of collisions resulting from human error. While drivers in Colorado are more likely to wear a seat belt (up to 84% compliance) than drivers in other states, that doesn’t mean that all drivers will drive safely. The most common causes of Colorado car accidents include:

#1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving includes drivers who ignore traffic or road signs. Data by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that distracted driving is causing more than 40% of all auto accidents. Moreover, nine people in the United States are killed every day in car crashes involving distracted drivers.

Anything that’ll take your attention away from driving can represent a distraction. Talking on your phone, sending a text message, or eating while driving can put you, your passengers, or others on the road at risk. In fact, text messaging can increase the risk of a car crash by 23 times, while phone users are likely to be involved in car accidents by 5.36 times more than undistracted drivers.

If you or someone dear has suffered injuries in a Colorado, Idaho, or Montana car accident due to a distracted driver, contact Mountain States Injury Law, LLC, as soon as possible.

#2. Impaired Driving

While DUI car crashes are decreasing, they are still one of the most common causes of car accidents. Driving under the influence of alcohol or even drugs can increase the risk of car accidents by at least four times. Despite the many years of warnings, drivers insist on getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking.

Nearly 37% of Colorado car collisions involved an impaired driver. It’s proven that alcohol can impair muscle coordination and reduce brain function, thinking, and reasoning. Additionally, alcohol slows a driver’s reaction speed, making him less able to respond to changing driving events.

#3. Reckless & Aggressive Driving

Most drivers fear aggressive and reckless drivers just as much as they fear driving under the influence. This goes without being said; reckless and aggressive driving causes dangerous driving conditions. Such driving can include violating traffic safety laws, speeding, cutting off other motorists, changing lanes in unsafe manners, running stop lights, or tailgating. Reckless drivers usually disregard the driving rules, so if you have been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

#4. Excessive Speed

The posted speed limit will be determined depending on how a road is designed. But if a driver exceeds the speed limit, the risk of causing an accident increases substantially. The greater the speed, the more forceful the crash’s impact will be and may result in severe injuries or wrongful death. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, speed is one of the most common reasons for the increase in national traffic accident fatalities. In more than 31% of all car fatalities, speeding is the main factor.

Unfortunately, excessive speed threatens the lives of Colorado drivers every day. If a speeding driver has hit you and caused severe personal injuries, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

#5. Fatigue Driving

Sleep deprivation is common in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three adults fail to get enough sleep regularly. Drowsy drivers cause a considerable number of car accidents in the country. Even though most of them do not fall asleep behind the wheel, their reaction time can be significantly slowed, resulting in an accident. Fatigue drivers are usually less aware of the cars, surroundings, and hazardous road conditions.

Fatigue driving is often an issue for commercial drivers, who operate under tight deadlines and cannot get enough rest.

#6. Poor Weather Conditions

Colorado is known for its fantastic mountains and dramatic shifts in weather. If drivers can’t see the road correctly, or their cars are not getting the traction they should, the traffic can become dangerous. Each weather condition can come with its own challenges, from rain, snow, ice, or fog.

While it’s recommended to avoid unsafe road conditions, from time to time, you don’t have a choice. Separately, driving in a snowstorm for an extended period could make the drivers’ eyes tired. Other drivers may not have gone in snow, ice, or fog enough to know how to react if their cars slide or fail to distinguish moving objects during the mist.

#7. Roadway Conditions

Suppose you have been involved in a car accident due to roadway conditions. Due to malfunctioning intersection signals, lack of traffic signs, lack of guardrails, missing lane markers, or other poor roadway conditions, many car accidents occur nationwide. The party responsible for building and maintaining the road can be held liable. Most of the time, the responsible party is the government, so you’ll have a short deadline to file your car accident claim.

How Can a Colorado Car Accident Lawyer Help You?

If you are injured in a car accident in Colorado, Idaho, or Montana, you may be uncertain where to turn or what to do. Firstly, please seek medical attention right away to check for any injuries. The adrenaline may mask any initial pain even if you don’t feel hurt. Once you have done that, contact Mountain States Injury Law’s experienced and knowledgeable lawyer. We will help you understand your case, assess your legal options, and work closely with you in pursuing the maximum financial compensation available for your case. Even if you think you have been partially at fault, you may still be eligible to seek some form of payment.

Here at Mountain States Injury Law, we know that insurance companies are for-profit companies, meaning they’re out there to make money. They’ll do so by paying out on as few claims as possible. Let us fight for your rights and get the compensation you deserve to get back on your feet! We are committed to representing car accident victims. That’s why we offer free initial consultations and contingent fee contracts. You will not have to pay fees or costs upfront. Instead, we will charge you only on the amount we recover.

Mountain States Injury Law is devoted to helping injured people while providing them exceptional support and legal representation. When you reach us, you can count on receiving compassion, the highest quality representation, and personalized legal services that’ll meet your needs and circumstances. If you have been hurt in a car crash, contact Mountain States Injury Law, LLC by calling 888-299-4312 or emailing us at help@casareslawllc.com.

Dale G. Casares

Colorado, Idaho, and Montana
Personal Injury Attorney

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