Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Pennsylvania

Thousands of cars take over the roads and highways every day in the Philadelphia area. With so many vehicles around, there is always the risk of an accident. However, the chances of an accident increase as negligent drivers make poor choices, putting you and your loved ones at unnecessary risk. If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash due to someone else’s fault, you need immediate legal assistance. Our Conshohocken car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Fishman, P.C., have prepared the following information showing the most common causes of car accidents in Pennsylvania.

What Causes Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?

Accidents happen every day for numerous reasons. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) released their 2017 Crash Facts and Statistics Report showing various types of vehicle accidents – including truck accidents and bus accidents – and their leading causes. Most car accidents are due to some driver error. Some of the most common causes of a car accident in Pennsylvania include speeding, distracted driving, and improper turning.

Speeding

There are speed limits in place for a reason: safety. Speeding can be extremely dangerous, especially in roadways with high traffic volume. Crashes at high speeds can be particularly catastrophic for all parties involved. According to PennDOT’s 2017 report, speeding is the number one leading cause of car accidents in the state. Speeding accounted for more than 30,000 crashes, out of which more than 400 were fatal. Additionally, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 10,000 people lost their lives due to speeding. Car crashes involving speeding are commonly subjects of personal injury lawsuits.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is another of the leading causes of car accidents in Pennsylvania. According to PennDOT’s 2017 report, distracted driving was responsible for more than 15,000 car crashes. Of all crashes reported, almost 60 were fatal. Unfortunately, technology plays a crucial role in such accidents; texting, calling, looking for smartphone apps, or changing the radio station are examples of common everyday distractions. Distracted driving can cause a person to accidentally speed up, stop, or change lanes.

Improper Turning

Improper turning is the cause of thousands of accidents every year. According to PennDOT, more than 14,000 accidents were improper turning-related. Dangerous turns generally happen due to driver error and failure to follow traffic signs. For instance, making an illegal turn on a red light can lead to this type of car accident. Another typical example of improper turning is making turns without using blinkers. Improper turning took the life of 60 people in 2017 according to the state’s crash report.

Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence (DUI) refers to operating a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol. Drinking and driving is a lethal combination that takes the lives of thousands of people every year around the nation. In Pennsylvania, drunk driving caused more than 9,000 crashes and took the lives of almost 300 people in 2017. Drinking and driving are often tied to reckless driving behavior such as speeding. As reported by PennDOT, on average, 28 DUI-related crashes were reported every day.

When Do Car Accidents Happen the Most?

The 2017 Crash Facts and Statistics Report divided car crash incidences by days of the week and hour of the day. Surprisingly, car accidents gradually increased as the week progressed and decreased sharply on weekends. As for the hours of the day where accidents mostly occurred, 3:00 A.M. to 5:00 A.M. reported the highest volume of crashes.

Conshohocken Auto Accident Attorneys Offering Free Consultations

The consequences of a car accident can be devastating. Your situation can feel worse knowing a negligent person caused your injuries. You don’t have to face this moment alone. The knowledgeable and skilled Conshohocken personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Fishman can help. Thanks to our more than 50 years of experience, we can offer aggressive and strategic legal representation. Do not accept any offer from the at-fault party before talking to an attorney. Let our experience work for you to file a claim for the compensation you are entitled to. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices at (610) 941-4250 today.