There are any number of reasons for car accidents. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projects that nearly 94% of auto accidents were precipitated by driver error.
While vehicle defect or adverse weather conditions cause their share of motor vehicle accidents on the roadways, from texting while driving to driving while intoxicated, the overwhelming evidence suggests most accidents are caused by human error.
(Learn About Personal Injury Liability When Drivers Share Responsibility for an Accident.)
Some of the most prevalent behaviors that lead to accidents include excessive speed, lack of attention to the roads and improper lookout while driving. These behaviors are responsible for a considerable amount of damage and injury every day on the road. Among these behaviors the NHTSA report observed that recognition error, performance error, decision error and non-performance error are key elements that cause accidents today.
Recognition errors involve things like distracted driving or missing stop signs, or failing to paying attention to the road. These kinds of errors can be caused by texting while driving, changing the radio station, becoming distracted by an accident on the roads.
Poor decision making includes errors like failing to adjust driving (i.e. speed) to challenging road conditions, reckless driving, tailgating, failing to drive defensively, and misjudging the speed of other cars on the road.
Performance errors come into play when drivers overcompensate while driving or have inadequate directional control.
The NHTSA estimates that traffic crashes on the roads jumped by 16% from 2020 – 2021. That number increased from 5.25 million to 6.10 million collisions. Traffic deaths increased 10% in 2021 to 43,000.
Non-performance errors can involve impaired driving. Impaired driving can include drunk driving or drowsy driving, both of which can slow down a motorist’s reaction time. The NHTSA reports that drowsy-driving accounted for more than 680 crashes that resulted in death in 2021. Overall, driver impairment contributed to more than 13,000 deaths on the roads in 2021. That accounts for about 30% of all traffic accidents that year.
(Whom to Sue When Your Accident is Caused by Road Hazards)
When drivers cause accidents, whether due to driver error or impairment, personal injury law provides a remedy for the damage that’s done. Victims of accidents are able to recover personal injury compensation by filing a claim for damages. Finding an experienced personal injury attorney who can help investigate the cause of the accident, negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurer and recover all of the damages you are entitled to receive.
If you would like to receive a free case review for an accident, call Bizzieri Law Offices in Chicago at 773.881.9000. We are responsive and work hard to recover the compensation you deserve. We never collect a fee unless we recover damages for you.