Common Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas

Common Causes of Dallas Car Accidents

Unfortunately, no matter how careful and safe a driver you are, accidents will happen. Car wrecks caused by dangerous drivers happen in and around Dallas on a daily basis. The majority of them are multiple-vehicle wrecks where just one of the motorists is at fault. If you or a close relative was injured in a crash which wasn't your fault, it is always a good idea to consult with a Dallas personal injury lawyer to discuss your personal situation and make sure that you understand your legal rights and obligations. You may be entitled to compensation.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) there were 82,685 people seriously injured in traffic accidents in 2010 alone. On top of that figure, another 3,023 people were killed in fatal Texas collisions. There are a lot of negligent drivers on Texas roads. While it might sometimes be obvious when one driver is at fault because their negligence is so extreme (for example, drunk drivers), other times it is not. However, there are a number of bad habits which many Dallas drivers engage in on a regular basis which are routinely the cause of serious wrecks and bodily injuries.

Distracted driving has become a growing problem throughout the DFW metroplex over the past several years as not just cellphone but smart phones have become more and more common. As their popularity has risen, so has the extremely unsafe habit of people using their phones while driving. Whether you talk or text while behind the wheel, you are seriously compromising your attention – which should be on the road ahead at all times. Anything which distracts your attention from driving is considered distracted driving. This includes eating and drinking, applying makeup, changing the radio station, programming your GPS navigation system, and even riding with a pet in your lap.

Speeding is another major cause of fatal car wrecks in Dallas. We've all seen those dangerous drivers who weave in and out of congested traffic who seem to think they are the only ones who want to reach their destination quickly. But by driving above the speed limit, they are risking the lives of everyone else who is unfortunate enough to be sharing the road with them. Basic physics teaches us that the faster a vehicle is traveling at the time of a crash, the greater the force – and thus the greater the property damage and the bodily injuries that result.

Tailgating is another form of aggressive and hazardous driving. If someone is attempting to speed but they can't get past the car in front, they will often follow too closely in an attempt to either intimidate that motorist into getting out of their way or else to express their frustration in a form of road rage. Tailgating is dangerous because if the car in front is forced to stop suddenly, then the tailgater has precious little time to react. The result is almost certainly going to be a catastrophic rear-end collision and some serious injuries to the driver and passengers of the car in front.

If you have been involved in a car accident and need to consult with a car accident attorney in Dallas, Texas, call the law firm of Guajardo & Marks, LLP at 972.774.9800 for a FREE consultation.