Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers | May 11, 2023 | Car Accident
Car accidents produce prolonged stress that can last for months or even years. Unfortunately, that’s because the accident itself is only the beginning. Dealing with the aftermath can be stressful and complicated, especially if you or a loved one is injured as a result.
Many people claim that collisions happen out of nowhere. While this is certainly true in some instances, the majority of accidents are entirely avoidable. However, avoiding accidents requires knowledge and awareness. To help you maintain a safer commute, here are the 12 most common causes of car accidents in Vista, California.
1. Speeding
For some reason, people seem to be in a constant hurry these days. Unfortunately, when this impatience transfers to the road, it can have deadly results. Currently, speeding is the number one cause of car accidents in Vista, California.
Speeding slows your reaction time and diminishes other drivers’ ability to move out of the way in the event of an emergency or sudden stop. The drivers ahead of you can see road conditions that may be obstructed for you, so acting impatient and cutting in front of them under the assumption that they are simply moving slowly puts everyone at risk.
The true tragedy of speeding is that it is entirely avoidable. By maintaining a safe and reasonable speed, you can ensure that you arrive at your destination safely while prioritizing the well-being of everyone on the road.
2. Intoxicated Driving
Intoxicated driving is a major contributor to accidents in Vista and throughout the rest of the state. Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of a mind-altering substance puts everyone around you at risk. One slight mistake, such as turning too slowly or stopping too quickly, could result in a serious accident.
Like speeding, intoxicated driving is entirely avoidable. If you are too intoxicated to drive, call a friend or use a rideshare to get home safely. This will not only preserve your own life, but it will also keep others safe.
3. Failure to Yield
Failure to yield occurs when a driver does not stop for another driver or pedestrian who legally has the right of way. Because there are often contributing factors to a driver’s failure to yield, it is an infraction that is frequently combined with other violations, such as speeding or reckless driving.
Much like intoxicated driving and speeding, failing to yield can be avoided by paying attention to what you are doing — operating a deadly machine in concert with thousands of other individuals on the road.
4. Improper Turning
Improper turns occur when a driver switches lanes mid-turn. For example, imagine a driver is making a right turn, and instead of turning into the lane directly in front of them, they turn into the lane to the left of it. It’s likely you have witnessed other drivers committing this infraction.
Improper turns can result in serious accidents. That’s because other drivers and pedestrians are not anticipating that the at-fault driver will turn into the incorrect lane. Consequently, this minimizes the window for corrective action and results in a more dangerous commute.
5. Failure to Obey Traffic Signals
Statistically, most drivers obey traffic signals. This is why failing to obey a traffic light or signage can be disastrous. If a driver waits for a green arrow to make their left-hand turn just as another driver runs the light, the odds are that the two will collide. In this situation, the at-fault driver would be the one who ran the red light.
6. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can encompass everything from looking at your phone to eating food while you are behind the wheel. When operating a motor vehicle, focusing your attention anywhere other than on the road and the immediate road conditions puts everyone around you at risk.
7. Inexperienced Drivers
Inexperienced drivers are not familiar with the ways and workings of the road. Even if they think they know how to operate a vehicle, the reality is that they do not have enough experience dealing with the sudden changes that can occur while driving.
Inexperience can also result in a driver relying on base instinct, which is often primal and emotional. This can result in risky behavior and irrational actions.
8. Driving at Night
Driving at night poses a hazard to almost anyone. That’s because the darkness can obscure road conditions, other vehicles, and pedestrians. Combined with other factors, such as distractions or intoxication, driving at night can turn deadly.
9. Improper Lane Changes
An improper lane change occurs anytime a driver changes lanes without signaling. This can cause problems for other drivers, as they are not able to anticipate the sudden changes in conditions. Avoiding an improper lane change is as easy as using your turn signal and checking your blind spots before changing lanes.
10. Wrong-Way Turns
When drivers don’t pay attention to posted signage or are unaware they are turning onto a one-way street, they could perpetrate a wrong-way turn. These types of accidents have the potential for fatal injury, as they often result in head-on collisions. Always be aware of posted signs and exercise caution when turning.
11. Faulty Designs
Sometimes a vehicle’s design flaws can result in an accident. If it was built using a faulty part or has experienced some kind of technological or mechanical error, it might not be safe to drive. Always be aware of vehicle recalls and pay attention to how your vehicle is operating.
12. Driving in Unsafe Weather Conditions
Unsafe weather conditions, such as excessive heat or rain, can result in accidents. That’s because many drivers overestimate their abilities to navigate adverse conditions. As a result, they speed or engage in other unsafe maneuvers that lead to an accident.
Stay Aware and Stay Safe While Driving in Vista, CA
Now that you know more about the causes of car accidents in Vista, California, you are ready to operate your vehicle in a safe and conscious manner that protects yourself, your passengers, and other denizens of the road.
Contact the North County Car Accident Lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the Vista car accident law firm of Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in North County, CA and its surrounding areas:
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Vista, CA Office
380 S Melrose Dr. Ste. 201
Vista, CA 92081
(619) 344-0360
Petrov Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Oceanside, CA Office
702 Civic Center Drive Ste. 105
Oceanside, CA, 92054
(619) 678-1016