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Leading Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina

On behalf of Randall & Stump, PLLC in Car Accidents, Injuries, Personal Injury on Tuesday, September 11, 2018

car accident in north carolina

We depend on cars every day to transport us to and from work, school, and other obligations. While cars are designed to make our lives easier, they can be dangerous, especially when people disregard certain safety precautions. North Carolina is no stranger to car accidents. In fact, there were 39,602 crashes in Charlotte in 2016, which led to 18,010 injuries, and 85 fatalities. Keep reading to learn more about the leading causes of car accidents in North Carolina.

If you sustain an injury in a collision that was not your fault, reach out to a skilled car accident lawyer at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys. Call us at (980) 237-4579 today, or reach out through our online form to schedule a free case consultation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in NC

In North Carolina, car accidents are caused by several factors, including:

Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is any non-driving activity an individual engages in while operating a motor vehicle. Eating, drinking, grooming, fumbling with radio controls, texting, and checking social media may all distract an individual from the primary task of driving, thus increasing their risk of causing an accident. In 2016, 20.3 percent of all car collisions in North Carolina involved distracted driving.

Lane Departure

Lane departure accidents arise when a vehicle leaves the lane in which it is driving and moves off the road or elsewhere. In 2016, 22.9 percent of crashes were the result of lane departure. Distracted drivers may drift outside of their lane, fatigued drivers may fall asleep at the wheel and move from their lane, and drunk drivers with impaired abilities may have a difficult time driving their car in a straight line. In some cases, lane departure accidents occur because of a reason that is beyond the driver’s control. For instance, if their tire blows, a driver may leave their lane unintentionally.

Speeding

The primary purpose of speed limits is to improve safety by reducing the risks imposed by the speed choices of drivers. Unfortunately, many individuals disregard speed limits and drive faster than they should on North Carolina roads and highways. Impatience, distracted driving, road rage, poor judgment after using alcohol or drugs, and the fear of being late are all examples of the most common reasons for speeding. 33.6 percent of 2016 crashes in North Carolina occurred because of speeding.

Alcohol

Most individuals understand the dangers of drinking and driving. Sadly, driving under the influence of alcohol continues to cause car accidents in North Carolina. 4.2 percent of the state’s accidents that happened in 2016 were the result of alcohol. Rather than opting for a ride-sharing service like Uber, designating a sober driver, or spending the night at a friend’s house after a party, individuals engage in the risky behavior of getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol.

What to Do After an NC Car Accident

If you are involved in a North Carolina car accident that is not your fault, there are certain steps you should take to protect yourself, including:

  • Call the police – Calling the police will allow a police report to be filed and used to support your case in the event you decide to file a claim.
  • Document the crash – Taking photographs of the accident scene as well as any injuries can help you collect valuable evidence.
  • Seek medical attention – Even if you believe you are fine, visiting the doctor and getting checked out is vital. You may have an injury that won’t be apparent until a few days after the crash.
  • Contact a car accident lawyer – Seeking legal representation is important, as an attorney can help you file a claim and fight for the compensation you are eligible for under the law.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for Help Today

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, we encourage you to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys today. With years of experience helping injured drivers in the Charlotte area, we are prepared to help you during every step of the process. While you concentrate on healing, let us deal with insurance companies and the legalities of fighting for compensation.

To schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case, contact us today at (980) 237-4579.