You’ve likely encountered at least one really bad driver in Seattle or elsewhere in Washington. Whether the person was distracted by a smartphone, intoxicated by alcohol or speeding for no apparent reason, a bad driver can be a risk to everyone they share the road with. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, driver mistakes are the leading cause of car accidents.
We have more safety technology and more distractions than ever
Today, modern cars are equipped with more safety features than ever before. Many cars now have backup cameras, lane departure warning systems, adaptive headlights and automatic emergency brakes, just to name a few features. However, modern drivers are also more distracted than they’ve ever been before, which may explain why fatal car accident numbers continue to go up.
When the NHTSA analyzed crash data, it found that 94% of car crashes occur because of something a driver did wrong. That means that the vast majority of car accidents can’t be blamed on things like inclement weather, a blown-out tire or faulty technology. Instead, most car accidents are caused by:
- Intoxication
- Poor decision-making
- Driver error
- Speeding
Being involved in a car accident isn’t just bad luck
The defendant in a personal injury complaint may be the person with the most blame for a car accident. The at-fault driver may have been speeding, changing lanes irresponsibly or looking at a text through a red light. However, there are decisive actions that can be taken to avoid a car accident even if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s important to know that car accidents are usually the result of a series of mistakes, not just one bad driver.
Seeking compensation after a car accident
Whatever led to the car accident you were involved in, you should be able to seek compensation through your insurance provider or by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. In some cases, it may be possible to file a personal injury complaint against the at-fault driver if he or she has no insurance.