5 Common and Preventable Causes of Columbia Auto Accidents

Auto accidents are an unfortunate but all too common occurrence on roadways throughout Middle Tennessee. Victims of auto accidents can have their lives changed in an instant, as they may suddenly be facing a future where their biggest priority is simply regaining their health and ability to work and earn a living.

At Matt Hardin Law, our Columbia car accident lawyers have assisted the victims of auto accidents for 20 years, and we’ve seen how they can turn the lives of entire families upside down—especially when it comes to finances and making ends meet when disabilities prevent victims from working.

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, it’s important to know that if someone’s negligence contributed to the accident, regardless of how it occurred, you may be eligible to receive compensation for things like your medical bills, lost wages, and reduced quality of life.

How Does Negligence Contribute to Car Accidents?

All drivers have the responsibility of making sure their driving habits and behaviors don’t put others at risk. Despite many laws designed to prevent drivers from engaging in careless driving behaviors, innocent victims are injured on a daily basis due to drivers who fail to uphold their responsibilities.

Five of the most common causes of negligence-related car accidents in Middle Tennessee that we see in our practice include:

1. Driving while intoxicated or impaired

Safe driving requires the ability to make good decisions, stay calm and reasonable in difficult situations, and follow all traffic laws. Drivers who are intoxicated or impaired due to the consumption of alcohol or drugs—or even sleep-deprivation and exhaustion—are often unable to fulfill any of those requirements, making them far more likely to cause accidents than injure themselves and other innocent victims.

2. Driving while distracted

Distracted driving is becoming an epidemic in Tennessee and throughout the U.S. due to the ubiquity of digital devices, including smartphones, tablets, and digital displays installed in vehicles. Although these devices can assist drivers with things like navigation and rerouting around traffic jams and accidents, they should never be used when the vehicle is in motion due to the distractions they cause.

3. Speeding

Driving at speeds that exceed posted speed limits is one of the most common traffic violations in the U.S., but it’s also one of the most dangerous. Drivers who speed are not only more likely to lose control of their vehicles, but they’re also more likely to cause accidents that put themselves and other victims at risk of serious injuries due to the high levels of force generated upon impact.

4. Driving aggressively

Tailgating/following too closely, suddenly switching lanes in front of other vehicles, running red lights or stop signs, failing to yield the right of way, and engaging in road rage are all aggressive driving behaviors that can lead to serious accidents. Drivers are responsible for controlling their emotions at all times and never engaging in aggressive acts that can directly endanger themselves and other motorists and their passengers.

5. Failure to account for inclement weather

Fog, heavy rainfall, ice, snow, and sleet are all weather conditions that can make driving more difficult and more dangerous. Drivers should always adjust their driving habits to account for these factors by slowing down, leaving more space between their vehicles and other vehicles in front of them, turning on their headlights, and driving more cautiously. Drivers who fail to adapt their behaviors for bad weather are more likely to cause serious car accidents and can be considered negligent if their actions injure or kill other motorists.

We’re Ready to Help Your Family During This Difficult Time

The list of car accident causes above isn’t exhaustive, as there are countless factors that go into the multitude of reasons that car accidents occurs in Tennessee. No matter how your car accident occurred, if you were injured due to the negligence or carelessness of another driver, it’s important that you get an experienced Columbia auto accident attorney on your side.

At Matt Hardin Law, our legal team has two decades of experience handling claims just like yours, and we know what it takes to get results for our clients. To speak with our attorneys, just dial fill out a free online consultation form. Don’t wait another day to get the legal assistance you and your family deserve—the sooner we can get to work, the better your chances may be of recovering maximum compensation.