Garland Car Accident Attorney

Speeding

Speeding is consistently one of the leading causes of motor vehicle deaths. A recent report from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated speeding was a factor in over 26 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities.

A speeding vehicle takes more time to stop and is harder to control. These complications not only increase the likelihood of an accident but can significantly increase the severity of any injuries. Despite these facts, drivers continue to speed.

Common justifications include:

• “I was late to work.”
• “I didn’t see the speed limit.”
• “I was just driving with the flow of traffic.”
• “Driving fast is fun.”

No excuse is worth risking another driver’s safety. In addition to driving beyond the posted speed limit, driving too fast for the conditions is also dangerous. When weather conditions are bad or traffic is congested, drivers should slow down and exercise caution.

Distracted driving

Too often, drivers are busy texting at a red light or holding a phone to their ear as they change lanes. Texas ranks #13 in the country for most distracted driving fatalities. While it might be easy to blame this high rate on the state’s growing population, Texas has nearly four times the rate of distracted driving fatalities as California, the country’s most populous state.

Texting and driving are one of the biggest problems on the road, but it is not the only distraction. The NHTSA defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving.”

Common offenses include:

• Cell phone use
• Eating
• Smoking
• Talking
• Applying makeup
• Adjusting the radio

If a driver was using their phone at the time of an accident, they frequently try to hide the fact from the other driver and the insurance company. However, it is easy to gain proof through cell phone records or previous driving citations.

Failure to yield the right-of-way

Did you know there are nearly 24 million licensed drivers in Texas? It’s no wonder traffic is so bad! With so many drivers on the road, following right-of-way laws is essential. Right-of-way laws dictate who goes where on the road and when. When you come to a stop sign, right-of-way laws prevent everyone from entering the intersection at once. In the same regard, traffic lights help control traffic flow and prevent collisions.

Right-of-way accidents happen when a driver doesn’t know the law, chooses to ignore it, or simply isn’t paying attention. These types of accidents typically happen at intersections.

However, other hot spots include:

• Parking lots
• Highway on-ramps
• Roundabouts
• Business and residential driveways

Poor visibility

Drivers need to exercise extreme care when there is limited visibility. If you cannot see other drivers on the road, accidents are almost inevitable. You can take steps by knowing your route and the driving conditions. In Texas, severe weather events can change visibility in an instant. The Federal Highway Administration reports over 38,000 accidents occur in just fog each year.

Other factors that can reduce visibility include:

• Rain
• Snow
• Smog
• Smoke
• Low light
• Physical obstructions (including buildings and other vehicles)

Driving under the influence

While driving under the influence has become significantly taboo, substance-related accidents happen at an alarmingly high rate. Driving under the influence is always dangerous, regardless of the impairment level or distance driving. Because of the blatant disregard for others, DUI cases often include a judgment for punitive damages against the at-fault driver. Punitive damages are an additional monetary award levied against the driver as a penalty to acknowledge the egregious behavior to prevent others from making the same choices.