When you see a specific car accident, it may have a unique reason. A driver was texting behind the wheel or driving under the influence of alcohol. A passenger was distracting, so the driver lost control of the car. Maybe the weather conditions were poor and visibility was bad. There are many different reasons why accidents happen.
But you can trace all of these back to one general root cause: Human error. It is responsible for more than 90% of motor vehicle crashes that happen every year. It can manifest differently from one case to the next, but the specific examples above – like distracted driving – are just examples of human error.
How can you stay safe?
The thing to remember when you drive is that you are only as safe as the drivers around you. If one of them makes a mistake, you could be involved in a serious accident. Because human error causes most crashes, it is clear that drivers are doing this on a regular basis.
You cannot control how they drive, but you can work on becoming a defensive driver. Increase your following distances. Stay away from aggressive drivers. Look both ways, even when you have the right of way. Slow down and give yourself more time to get to your destination. Generally, just anticipate that drivers around you are going to make mistakes and watch for them so that you’re ready to react as soon as the mistakes happen.
Seeking compensation
Unfortunately, even defensive driving doesn’t guarantee you won’t be involved in a car accident. If you get injured, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and related costs.