THE 4 MAIN REASONS CAR ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

You may have heard that driver error causes the majority of accidents, and that’s true, but it’s important to note that it’s not the only reason. There are four main causes to consider in Pennsylvania, so it’s time to take a look at them, starting with the fourth-most common reason and working up to the first.

— 4. Equipment Failure

This can take on a lot of different forms, but it essentially means that the driver does nothing wrong and crashes because a part of the vehicle breaks on the road. This could mean the brakes go out, the gas pedal gets stuck or that the windshield wipers fail in a storm.

— 3. Roadway Design

When a road is laid out poorly, it can cause sight lines that make it hard for drivers to see turns or where other traffic is merging in. Issues with materials can also mean a road surface causes a crash. Additionally, the devices used to control traffic—stoplights and road signs—could be set up ineffectively or in a confusing manner.

— 2. Poor Roadway Maintenance

Poor maintenance to the road itself could cause huge potholes that damage vehicles or cause accidents. Loose materials can also make drivers lose traction. Additionally, stoplights and other devices could break down so that drivers don’t know what to do.

— 1. Driver Behavior

As noted above, the behavior of drivers causes most accidents. Improper behavior includes speeding, driving aggressively, not using turn signals and much more.

No matter why an accident happened, if you or a loved one were injured, you need to know your rights to compensation.

Source: Smart Motorist, “What Causes Car Accidents?,” accessed Feb. 19, 2016