Were you injured in a car accident in San Jose? Determining who was at fault in the collision is a crucial step in securing the compensation you deserve. The most common causes of car accidents in San Jose may come as a surprise. The leading cause of car accidents is not drunk drivers or reckless drivers, but distracted drivers. From sending a text message to eating to talking to a passenger in the car, driver distraction is constantly occurring on our roads.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a driver who is texting is 23 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident. There are three main types of driver distraction: manual, visual, and cognitive. Manual distraction occurs when the driver’s hands have been taken off of the wheel. This could be to send a text or when putting on makeup. Visual distraction occurs when the driver’s eyes have been taken off of the road. This again could be due to cell phone use or any other activity which causes them to take their eyes off the road. Lastly is cognitive distraction. If the driver has something else on their mind, it could result in delayed reactions or poor judgment.
The next most common cause of a car accident is speeding. Even going as little as ten miles over the speed limit could result in a traffic collision. Speeding can be both a cause of an accident as well as make an accident more severe. It can cause a driver’s reaction time to be slower as they do not have as much time to brake or avoid an obstacle in the road. If you were injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver, this could be grounds for a personal injury claim.
The third leading cause of car accidents is drunk driving. Even though it is a widely publicized fact that drinking and driving is dangerous, every day, people still choose to get behind the wheel of the car when they are under the influence of alcohol. Not only could you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, but they could be held criminally responsible as well.
If you have more questions about the causes of car accidents or were injured in a car accident, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team as soon as possible. Our personal injury lawyers have been protecting victims of negligence since 1966 and have secured millions of dollars on their behalf. No matter how complex or serious your case appears to be, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Shea & Shea so that we can go over your case!