Vehicle accidents, whether in Los Angeles or any other part of the country, are tragic. Regardless whether its effects are fatal, severe injuries or even just property damage, motor vehicle accidents remain to be the leading cause of unintended death for people ages 1–34 years old.
From the tragic vehicle accident which claimed the life of Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher Nick Adenhart to the death of California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor and his family and to the recent fatal Greyhound bus crash, here is a rundown on the most common causes of tragic vehicle accidents:
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is the primary cause of collision in 9 percent of all fatal and injury accidents in California. Alcohol and drugs, whether prescription or illegal affects a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. These can impair a person’s vision, judgment, reaction time which can increase the chances of an accident.
• Speeding – The faster people drive, the less time they have to react to road hazards or safely stop the vehicle before a collision. Further, speeding also results to greater damage as the impact would be greater upon a crash. According to the CHP, speed is a factor for about 28 percent of all fatal and injury collisions.
• Driver Behavior – Driver error or poor driving habits and attitudes can lead to accidents. The following are some of the most common accident-causing driver behavior: tailgating, improper lane changes, unsafe passing, failure to yield right of way, failing to keep right, inattentiveness, and poor visual scanning.
• Weather Conditions – Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or driving even during the nighttime under these conditions can increase the risk of a car accident. Road visibility can be impaired by fog and snow and wet or slick roads can be slippery thus increasing the chances of a driver losing control of his vehicle while driving.
• Vehicle Defects – Although car parts defects make up a minuscule portion of the factors in a car crash, the massive recall made by Toyota this year has caused a chain reaction among other automakers. Aside from manufacturing or dangerous design defects, worn out tires, faulty brakes, and poorly maintained vehicles can cause an accident.
