Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Charleston’s Trusted Law Firm for Car Accident Claims
Many South Carolina residents rely on their automobiles to get them where they need to go. While vehicles and roads are more reliable than ever, there is still the potential for accidents. Most car accidents in the U.S. are caused by driver error. A small number of collisions result from defective vehicles or poor roadway conditions.
At Kahn Law Firm, LLP, we assist car accident victims with recovering compensation for their losses, regardless of the cause of their crash. If you have been injured in a car accident because of someone else’s negligence, be sure to give us a call. We can help you file a claim for maximum compensation.
Our legal team represents injured clients who were involved in car accidents caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Aggressive driving
- Running a stop sign
- Running a red light
- Tailgating
- Drowsy driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Reckless driving
- Teenage drivers
- Poorly maintained roads
For more information about your car accident claim in Charleston, call (843) 920-5690 today.
Driver Error
According to a Crash Causation Survey published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 94% of car accidents are caused by driver error. The NHTSA broadly classifies driver error into five categories: recognition errors, decision errors, performance errors, non-performance errors, and other errors.
Examples of the five categories of driver errors include:
- Recognition errors: includes driver’s inattention, inadequate surveillance, and internal and external distractions
- Decision errors: includes illegal maneuvers, misjudgment of another’s speed, false assumptions of another driver’s actions, driving too fast for conditions, and going too fast around a curve
- Performance errors: includes overcompensation and poor directional control
- Non-performance errors: the most common form of non-performance error is sleep
- Other errors: covers errors that do not fall under the above four categories
If your accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, you can file a claim against that driver’s insurance company. If you were struck by an uninsured motorist or are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, there are also options available for you to pursue compensation. Get in touch with Kahn Law Firm, LLP today to discuss the right way to proceed.
Defective Vehicles
Some car accidents are caused by problems that arise within the vehicle. In this case, there could be several parties liable for your accident injuries, including the car manufacturer, parts manufacturer, parts designer, or a third-party parts vendor.
There are numerous car part defects that can lead to accidents, including:
- Bad brakes
- Broken steering columns
- Defective tires
- Malfunctioning suspension systems
- Engine problems
- Transmission problems
- Faulty electrical systems
- Failing seatbacks
- Broken accelerators
Proving an accident was caused by a defective auto part can be challenging. Make sure you have an experienced legal team on your side when filing this type of car accident claim. Our attorneys can determine whether you have a claim according to strict liability, breach of an express warranty, or breach of an implied warranty.
Poor Roadway Conditions
Although the government tries to maintain good quality roads throughout the state, sometimes roads deteriorate to the point where they become dangerous.
There are several forms of dangerous road conditions, including:
- Uneven road surfaces
- Potholes
- Exposed rebar
- Road cracks
- Broken concrete
- Sinkholes
Such poor road conditions can lead to serious car accidents. For example, hitting a large pothole could puncture a tire and send the car into the other lane, causing a collision with an oncoming vehicle. You might also lose control of your car by driving on uneven road conditions. In such cases, a driver may hold the local government responsible for the accident. Claims against the government are often more complicated than claims against an at-fault driver. You will want to work with an experienced personal injury firm to ensure that your claim is filled out correctly and submitted on time.
Injured in a car accident in Charleston? Call Kahn Law Firm, LLP at (843) 920-5690 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
