Car accidents happen surprisingly often. More than 6 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes occur in the United States each year, an average of more than 16,000 crashes per day, or roughly one crash every five seconds.
Some crashes cause minor property damage, while others result in serious injuries or death. The number of accidents can vary based on factors such as traffic volume, weather, road conditions, and driver behavior.
Because collisions are so common, knowing what to do after an accident can help protect your health, finances, and legal rights. An experienced car accident lawyer in Westbury can give you all the information you need to know to make confident decisions about your case. Levine And Wiss will keep you informed about your rights.
How Common Are Car Accidents?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 6 million police-reported crashes occur each year in the U.S. However, police reports do not capture every collision that happens. Minor crashes may never be reported to law enforcement, especially when no one is hurt and the drivers handle the property damage themselves.
As a result, the actual number of crashes may be higher than official police-reported figures. The legal team at Levine And Wiss can offer clear legal guidance after a car crash.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Car accidents can happen in many ways, but certain causes are more common than others. Understanding why accidents happen can help drivers make safer choices and may also help determine who was responsible when someone is injured.
The most common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Texting, using a phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or taking your eyes off the road can lead to a crash.
- Speeding: Driving too fast makes it harder to stop or react when traffic conditions change.
- Following too closely: Leaving too little space between vehicles can cause a rear-end collision if the car ahead stops suddenly.
- Failure to yield: Drivers who do not give the right of way can cause crashes at intersections, in crosswalks, and when merging.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drugs can affect judgment, reaction time, coordination, and attention.
- Unsafe lane changes: Changing lanes without checking blind spots or using a turn signal can result in sideswipe or other collisions.
- Running red lights or stop signs: Ignoring traffic signals can lead to serious intersection crashes.
- Poor weather or road conditions: Rain, snow, ice, poor visibility, potholes, and other road hazards can make driving more difficult and increase the risk of a crash.
Determining what caused a car accident is especially important when an injury claim is involved. Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photographs, video, and other records may help establish what happened. The legal team at Levine And Wiss knows how to build an evidence-based claim.
When Do Most Car Accidents Happen?
Car accidents can happen at any time, but some conditions make crashes more likely to occur. Traffic volume, visibility, weather, and the number of people traveling can all affect the risk of a collision. Certain times of day, days of the week, seasons, and holidays may see more crashes than others.
Factors that impact how often car accidents happen:
- Times of day: Crashes can increase during morning and evening rush hours when more people are on the road. Nighttime driving can also be risky because reduced visibility can make it harder to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and road hazards.
- Days of the week: More traffic on weekdays can lead to more collisions, especially during commuting hours. Weekends may also bring additional risks from nighttime driving, recreational travel, and impaired driving.
- Seasons: Winter weather can create dangerous driving conditions because of snow, ice, and reduced visibility. Summer can also bring heavier traffic as more people travel for vacations and other activities.
- Holidays and busy travel periods: Roads can become more crowded around major holidays and other periods when people travel more often. More vehicles on the road can increase the chances of a crash, especially when combined with speeding, fatigue, or impaired driving.
Traffic volume matters because more vehicles create more opportunities for collisions. Visibility is also important. Darkness, heavy rain, fog, snow, and glare can make it harder for drivers to see what is ahead and react in time. The car accident lawyers at Levine And Wiss have handled a wide range of cases.
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Get Legal Support From an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident can leave you dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost income, and an insurance company that may not make the process easy. You do not have to handle everything on your own. An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, deal with the insurance company, and protect your rights.
At Levine And Wiss, we are prepared to take action when an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Our team has over 100 years of combined legal experience advocating for injured victims.
Our attorneys and support team will handle your case from beginning to end and keep you informed throughout the process. If your case needs to go to court, we are not afraid to litigate. Call today for a free initial consultation.
