6 Common Causes of Car Accidents in Houston
Houston is often deemed one of the most dangerous cities to drive in Texas, as each year, there are more than 60,000 car crashes in the city. Drunk driving and driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of an accident in Houston.
In an accident, you may have sustained severe injuries that might take a long time to recover from, which might hamper your earning ability and leave you with many medical bills.
So, you need to hire a Houston car accident lawyer to help you seek the compensation you deserve. You can claim compensation for damages, injuries, loss of pay, future medical costs, and much more.
While many car accidents in Houston are unavoidable, you should always be alert while driving. There are some causes of car accidents that are more common than others.
#1 Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the leading cause of an accident in Houston and even across the country.
Many drivers are distracted by the touchscreen infotainment or their phones, and they end up paying less attention to the road, which causes an accident.
As a good citizen, you must pay full attention to the road ahead. It can cause an accident even if you are distracted for a second.
#2 Speeding
When you are on a freeway or any other road, you might have noticed the driver that zooms past you. It is common for people to drive 10 to 20 miles per hour over the speed limit in many areas.
When you are driving fast, your reaction time becomes slower as per the high speeds. Moreover, even if you try to prevent an accident, the chances are lower that you would be able to avoid the accident.
#3 Drunk Driving
Going out and drinking with friends over the weekend is common, but one should not ever get behind the wheel after consuming even a small amount of alcohol.
Drinking and driving are reckless as when you drink, your senses and cognitive functions are dulled, slowing your reaction time and hampering your judgment.
It is best to find a sober friend to drive you home or book a cab.
#4 Reckless Driving
There is a fine line of difference between reckless driving and overspeeding; however, overspeeding may be considered reckless driving.
Tailgating, overtaking, weaving in and out of traffic, not using turn indicators, driving close to other cars, and overspeeding.
People who drive irresponsibly put their life and the lives of others in danger. Reckless driving increases a driver’s chance of losing control over the vehicle.
#5 Young Adults
Teenagers or young adults who have started driving recently often lack the experience, which causes accidents on the road.
They might not know how to react in a certain situation leading to a collision. So, if you ever see a teenager driving, it is best that you maintain your distance from their vehicle.
#6 Defective Car
A defective car part can cause an accident and can also add to the severity of the accident.
For instance, malfunctioning airbags failed braking systems, and faulty wiring systems can hinder the car’s safety mechanisms from working appropriately. So, you must take your vehicle for regular maintenance.
Suppose you have been involved in an accident owing to these reasons or any other reason. In that case, it is important that you contact a Houston car accident lawyer to help you deal with insurance agencies, local authorities, and other parties involved in the accident.