15 Common Causes of Negligent Driving

In the US, there are over 6 million car accidents each year. Unfortunately, even a mild incident can still come with plenty of complications. Many of these accidents are also due to negligence.

Negligent driving occurs when a driver fails to use proper care and caution while driving. Here are 15 common causes of negligent driving you need to know about.

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of negligent driving. This includes activities such as texting, eating, drinking, using the phone, or engaging in any other activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road.

Distracted driving is a growing problem and can lead to serious consequences, including car accidents and fatalities.

2. Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is another major cause of negligent driving. Impaired drivers have poor judgment and response times and are a danger to themselves and others on the road.

When someone drives impaired, the chance of an accident occurring increases significantly. For this reason, it is important to have a designated driver if you are going out and plan on drinking alcohol.

3. Speeding

Speeding drivers often fail to react quickly enough to avoid accidents or control their vehicles effectively. This creates a situation where the driver is more likely to be at fault in an accident.

It also puts other drivers and pedestrians in danger, as speeding may not give them enough time to react.

4. Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is the act of driving with a complete disregard for traffic laws, road safety, or the safety of others.

It often involves behavior like swerving to avoid an obstacle or trying to race other vehicles on the road. It can also apply to situations where a driver weaves in and out of traffic or tailgates other cars. Failing to yield the right-of-way is also considered reckless driving.

You can check out this resource to learn more about how to prove negligence in a car accident.

5. Fatigued Driving

Fatigued driving is a major cause of negligent driving and can be just as dangerous as impaired driving. When drivers are tired, their reaction time is slowed and they may not be able to focus properly on the road.

This can lead to dangerous situations, especially if a driver is driving for long periods of time or on a highway.

6. Ignoring Traffic Signals

Ignoring traffic signals, including stop signs and red lights, often leads to serious accidents. A common scenario could include a driver running a red light and hitting another car in the intersection.

In this scenario, the driver who ran the light may be considered negligent for not following traffic signals.

7. Following Too Close

Tailgating or following too closely leaves little room for error. It doesn’t allow the driver to stop on time or respond to sudden changes in road conditions, which can lead to accidents.

Instead, drivers should always keep a safe distance from the car in front of them to avoid this problem.

8. Improper Lane Changes

Improperly changing lanes or failing to signal a turn can cause a collision or result in the driver’s being ticketed. Even if it doesn’t lead to an accident, this type of negligence can still result in serious consequences.

For instance, if a driver fails to signal before changing lanes, they may be cited for failure to yield.

9. Inexperienced Driving

Inexperienced drivers may not have the necessary experience to safely navigate the road or react to unexpected situations.

New drivers may not be aware of the dangers that come with driving in certain situations (such as on highways or at night), which can lead to negligent driving. These drivers should always be extra cautious and take their time to learn the rules of the road.

10. Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is a behavior that can create a dangerous situation on the road. Tailgating, swerving, cutting off another vehicle, and aggressive lane changes are all aggressive driving behaviors.

If you notice another driver behaving this way, distance yourself from them as soon as possible.

11. Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicles that haven’t been maintained properly are at higher risk of causing accidents due to problems like brake failure, broken headlights, or worn-out tires. You should perform maintenance on your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and have it inspected regularly.

This will ensure that your car is running safely and reduce the chances of any problems occurring while you are driving.

12. Road Rage

Road rage is becoming more prevalent and is a significant cause of negligent driving.

Drivers who engage in road rage may make reckless and unsafe decisions. This differs from reckless driving in that it is often motivated by anger.

Road rage can also involve physical or verbal confrontations with other drivers, which increases the risk of accidents. If you find yourself in a situation with an aggressive driver, it is important to stay calm and avoid any confrontations. Always remember to focus on driving safely and not engaging with the other driver.

Similarly, drivers who are angry or frustrated should make sure to take a break if they need one so they can maintain control of their emotions while behind the wheel.

13. Poor Visibility

Driving in low light conditions or in conditions with limited visibility, such as rain or fog, can contribute to negligent driving and lead to accidents.

Drivers should use extra caution during these conditions and adapt their driving style accordingly. Otherwise, they could be found guilty of negligence.

14. Bad Weather

Bad weather such as snow, freezing rain, and ice can create hazardous road conditions that require extra care and attention when driving. Although it might seem safe to drive on these roads, they can be surprisingly slippery and can require slower speeds or even a change of route.

Drivers should always check the weather forecast before setting off and make sure they are prepared to drive in any conditions.

15. Not Yielding to Pedestrians

Pedestrians don’t always use designated areas when crossing the road. Drivers must remember to always yield to pedestrians, no matter the situation.

If a pedestrian is crossing the road, the driver should stop and allow them to pass first before continuing. Negligent drivers who fail to yield can be held responsible for any injuries or damage caused by their actions.

Handling an Accident

It’s essential to understand the proper action to take if you find yourself in an accident.

This could mean the difference between whether or not you get the compensation you deserve. Listed below are some of the most notable.

Get to Safety

The first thing you’ll want to do if you are in an accident is to move your car and yourself out of harm’s way.

If possible, get off the road entirely. Make sure to turn your hazard lights on so other drivers will be aware of what happened and can avoid it.

Call For Help

If anyone involved in the accident needs medical care, call 911 right away. Then, contact the police and inform them of the accident so they can investigate it properly. This will document the situation so that you can have it for your records.

Obtain the Police Report

When speaking with law enforcement, make sure to get a copy of the police report. This will be helpful later when you’re filing an insurance claim or seeking compensation from the other driver(s). So, don’t neglect this responsibility.

Gather Evidence

If it’s safe to do so, take pictures and videos of any damage caused by the accident and the road conditions at that time. You should also gather contact information from the other driver and any witnesses.

To make this process easier, you could take a video or audio recording of their witness testimony. Just be sure to get their permission first.

Seek Medical Treatment

This is one of the most important steps to take after an accident.

Even if you don’t think that you were injured, it’s important to be checked by a doctor in case there are any delayed signs or symptoms. This will also help document any injuries from the accident and be useful when filing an insurance claim or suing for damages.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You’ll want to contact your insurance company and inform them of the accident so that they can start processing your claim.

It’s important to keep copies of all relevant documents as well as a detailed description of the accident and its circumstances. You’ll be sure to prevent issues from arising by doing so.

Consult With an Attorney

If you’re filing a claim for compensation, it’s important to consult with an experienced attorney who can help guide you through the process. They can advise you on the best course of action and ensure that your rights are protected.

An attorney will also represent your case in a court of law if necessary.

Finding the Right Lawyer

Not all attorneys are created equal.

There are certain attributes you need to keep an eye out for when making your decision. Let’s explore some of the most important.

How Is Their Reputation?

As you might assume, the reputation of your attorney is crucial to consider.

It will tell you a lot about their experience in the field and whether or not they have the necessary skills to handle your case. Read online reviews and ask for referrals from people you trust. This will provide insight into what you can expect.

Otherwise, you may not get the results that you want.

Are They Experienced?

Experience is essential when it comes to legal representation. Check to see how long the lawyer has been practicing and if they specialize in the areas of law you need help with.

Researching this attribute will give you a better idea of their qualifications.

It’s worth noting that experience lawyers don’t always provide poor results. However, they will be much less likely to meet your needs.

Do They Understand Your Case?

It’s important that the attorney understands your unique situation so that they can provide the best legal advice possible. They should be able to explain any complexities and answer your questions in a way that makes sense to you.

Otherwise, it’s best to look for another lawyer who can better serve your needs.

What Is Their Billing Structure?

The last thing you want is to be surprised by a large bill at the end.

Make sure you have a good understanding of how your lawyer works and what their billing structure is before hiring them. This way, you won’t be caught off guard by any hidden fees or charges.

For instance, are they hourly or do they work on a contingency fee basis? For those unfamiliar, a contingency fee means the lawyer doesn’t get paid unless you win your vehicle accident case.

Are They Communicative?

It’s always in your best interest to hire a lawyer who will be in regular contact with you. Communication is very important in any legal situation, so don’t settle for someone who isn’t willing to keep you informed of your case’s progress.

Dealing with a car accident is stressful enough without having to chase down your lawyer for updates.

Negligent Driving Can Be Serious

All it takes is a couple of seconds of negligent driving to cause a serious accident.

No matter the reason, drivers should be aware of the risks posed by negligent driving and take steps to ensure safety on the road. Keep the above information in mind so you can take the appropriate steps if you find yourself in an accident caused by a negligent driver.

Looking for other useful info that can help you out in the future? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog!