Thousands of Texans are involved in both minor and catastrophic car accidents every year throughout the Lone Star State. Being involved in an auto accident in Texas, or anywhere else for that matter, can be a traumatic and painful experience. You may see your insurance rates skyrocket, medical bills pile up, and even experience lost wages as you deal with the fallout of an auto accident and trying to get everything back on track.
Sometimes the best way to avoid an accident is simply being aware of what causes them. By doing so, we can remain aware when those situations present themselves and we can also be sure to avoid committing these leading causes ourselves.
These are the 5 main causes of an auto accident in Texas according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
Failure to Control Speed
This is the big one, responsible for more than 100,000 accidents throughout the state of Texas each year, and is also the leading cause of fatal accidents nationwide.
Speeding may seem convenient at times when you are running late or simply eager to arrive as soon as possible, but it is important to remember that speed limits weren’t enacted to inconvenience drivers, but rather were put in place for the safety of every motorist on the road.
Speed is also directly proportional to the severity of injuries in the event that there is a collision or some other accident.
Driver Inattention
Not far behind speeding, you will find distracted driving as the number two leading cause of accidents in Texas. Undoubtedly, distracted driving has always existed to one extent or another, but it has become particularly problematic in the age of cell phones.
Avoid taking phone calls, checking text messages, browsing Facebook, or sharing stories to Instagram or Snapchat while you are behind the wheel. It is a deadly combination, and the statistics back that up.
But distracted driving isn’t limited to cell phone use. It can also be caused by eating while driving, playing with the radio, spilling your morning coffee, or doing your make up in the rear view mirror. The most important thing is to maintain your focus on the road or pull over momentarily when absolutely necessary.
Failure to Drive in Single Lane
Failure to maintain a lane is the third leading cause of auto accidents in Texas, which may include a variety of situations, whether that is crossing the center lane or veering off the road and into a ditch.
Failure to Yield while Turning Left
Impatience may be the biggest culprit of all when it comes to auto accidents. Trying to make a quick left turn into oncoming traffic causes nearly 25,000 collisions per year in Texas. It’s important that you wait until traffic has passed before making a left turn since oncoming traffic may not see you or have time to react. Likewise, you should always be vigilant of potential situations where a driver may try to make a sudden left turn.
Unsafe Lane Change
Sudden and unsafe lane changes round out our top five causes of auto accidents in Texas. These accidents usually occur on busy highways when a motorist tries to weave between lanes. Not only is this dangerous but it is also impractical because it only serves to further congest traffic as others brake and adjust to the sudden intrusion.
Avoid an Auto Accident in Texas
Being aware of these five leading causes of auto accidents in Texas can help ensure that you aren’t the one to cause a collision while on the road, but it unfortunately still leaves you vulnerable to other drivers who aren’t as considerate.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident in Texas you should be sure to contact the law offices of Fears Nachawati. An experienced Dallas auto accident attorney can help you navigate the difficult road ahead following a collision or wreck as you grapple with insurance companies, medical bills, and auto mechanics. Give them a call at (866) 705-7584, or pay them a visit at their Dallas office on Greenville Avenue. Offices are also available in Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.