Car accidents happen quickly. The brake lights are on in front, you slam the foot, your brakes squeal, and your body is jolted forward while your car crashes into the vehicle in front.

A car accident can cause injuries, financial difficulties, and emotional turmoil. What could you have done differently to prevent this? Although this might not always be possible, it can avoid many auto accidents.

Here are some causes of car accidents and what you can do to prevent them. Although some of these causes of car accidents may seem obvious, they remind you to be more mindful of your surroundings.

Distracted driving

Not drunk driving, speeding, or running a stop sign are the leading causes of car accidents. Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents. Distracted driving is any activity that distracts you from the road. We are constantly distracted by all the technology on our phones. Texting, changing songs, and even talking on the phone are just a few of our distractions.

Other distractions include:

• Eating
• Helping children in the backseat
• Picking up things that have fallen on the ground

Speeding

Speed limit signs exist for a reason. These signs are there to tell you the safest speed on that road. You might experience higher traffic, sharp turns, or uneven roads, among other reasons. Your reaction time to avoid an accident will slow down the faster you drive. It will also take longer to stop the car. As such, it is essential to remember to avoid speeding or to accelerate too much.

Driving under the influence

Drinking alcohol can cause you to lose your ability to concentrate and function properly. This can be dangerous when driving a car. Unfortunately, drunk drivers are still a problem. Every day, however, it is possible to prevent them from causing crashes. Always use a designated driver if you plan to drink. If you need help moving your car, consider looking into roadside assistance or local towing Framingham MA services.

Reckless Driving

You could end up in an accident if you aren’t careful. This happens to reckless drivers who speed up, change lanes too fast, ignore rear turning signals, or tailgate. It would be best if you were extra cautious around reckless drivers, who can often get impatient with traffic.

Rain

Weather conditions can cause car accidents. Rain is a common cause of car accidents, regardless of where you live. You must pay attention to the weather and be careful as rain can cause cars, trucks, and motorbikes to slide on slippery surfaces. Rain can cause car accidents.

Driving under the influence of drugs

It is not just alcohol that can impair your ability to make decisions and control. Legal or illegal drugs can harm you. Driving can be dangerous if your mind isn’t clear or you have no control over your body.

Stop signs and running red lights

Red means to stop, regardless of whether it’s a stop sign or a red light. Red lights and stop signals can cause wrongful death, often leading to side-impact or rollover collisions at high speeds. Always slow down and check for cars coming from the other direction to avoid an accident.

Teenage Drivers/New Drivers

Not all drivers are careful. Some of the motions that are second nature to experienced drivers are still being taught, including checking blind spots and using turn signal lights. In addition, teen drivers are often not trained and don’t know how to drive. This can lead to car accidents.

Night driving

Driving at night can increase your risk of an accident. If you can’t see ahead, it’s challenging to know what you should expect as you travel towards it. Your awareness of the road and other cars around you must increase as the sun sets.

Unsafe Lane Changes

There will always be a moment when you have to cross over into another lane. Drivers who don’t make safe lane changes often cause a car accidents. Avoid an accident by using your left and right turn signals. Also, check your blind spots before moving into the right or left lane.

Improper Turns

To help drivers, we have turn signals, stop lights, and lanes that allow you to move left or right instead of straight. Unfortunately, car accidents often occur when drivers disregard these signs. You can prevent car accidents by always looking for signs and following the right-of-way when turning.

Tailgating

Impatience can cause drivers to drive too close to other cars, which could make them unable to react quickly if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly. For every ten mph, you should allow at least one car to pass the vehicle in front. Accidents involving fatal car crashes have been caused by drivers who dangerously tailgate another driver at high speeds and cannot stop when the rear lights turn on.

Ice and Snow

The Winter months can be dangerous. Snow can mix with water, resulting in sloshy ice that can be hard to prevent. Because most people don’t know the proper protocols, this danger can escalate.

Do not drive if it is snowing or icy outside. If this is impossible, maintain a distance from the car in front, reduce your speed, take the brakes off at stops, and, if you hit the ice, don’t slam the brakes.

Road Rage

Everybody has been mad at someone else for some reason. It could be because they didn’t use the signal lever or moved slowly in the fast lane. Or that someone pulled ahead of them. Some drivers allow their anger to take control and make poor decisions.

You can cause car accidents yearly by tailgating or speeding through another driver. It is best to avoid road ragers and not acknowledge their actions.

Potholes

Potholes can harm your car and cause severe damage if they aren’t spotted. Potholes can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles or damage tires. You can avoid accidents by not driving over a pothole in your vehicle’s path.

Drunk Driving

Driving tired isn’t often mentioned, but it is just as dangerous as driving while impaired. Drowsy driving is responsible for most car accidents. Don’t let yourself fall asleep at your steering wheel. You can pull over to a safe spot and take a power nap.

Tire blowouts

On most highways, you can see the tire remains scattered around. You and your vehicle can be injured if you blow a tire. Before driving, ensure your tires are the right PSI for your car. Also, ensure that the bolts and hubcaps are securely fastened. You should always maintain control over your vehicle if you have a tire blowout.

Deadly Curves

These curves are known as dead man’s curves. Unfortunately, many motorists have lost control of cars on dangerous curves and ended up in an accident. Be careful when you approach signals warning of sharp turns to avoid an accident.

Design Defects

Cars are no exception. To be aware of any malfunctions in your vehicle, such as the Ford Mustang’s oil-leak recall, continue to check for recalls.

Animal Crossings

Animals don’t know the rules and will cross the road as they please. Be cautious if you see an animal crossing a road sign. Also, use high beams when driving in wooded areas.