Approximately sixty five percent of fatal automobile accidents involve just one vehicle. This makes single-vehicle crashes even more deadly than accidents where multiple vehicles are involved. Unfortunately, single-vehicle crashes are also the most difficult accidents for accident investigators to resolve. The reason for this is simple – if the crash was fatal, the driver, who was the person who would have had the most information about what happened before and during the crash, cannot relay that information to anyone after they are deceased. However, while the cause of any given single-vehicle accident can be very difficult to pinpoint, there is a good amount of knowledge available regarding how drivers can prevent single vehicle crashes.
One major cause of single vehicle accidents is drunk driving. Many single-vehicle accidents happen when a vehicle leaves the roadway and either flips over down an embankment or collides with an object like a tree. When a driver has consumed alcohol, their reaction time is slower and their judgment is poor. Under those circumstances, it is easy to misjudge a curve in the road or fail to make a necessary course correction in time to avoid an accident. Avoiding alcohol use prior to and during driving can reduce your risk of being in a single-vehicle accident.
Since tired drivers respond in much the same way as those who are under the influence of alcohol, it is not surprising that tired drivers are another leading cause of single-vehicle accidents. Getting adequate rest is therefore another way that drivers can decrease the risk that they will be involved in a single vehicle accident. Also, if you are driving and you notice that you are tired, find a place to rest a bit before continuing on your way. Taking a rest break could make the difference between arriving at your destination safely and being injured or killed in a single-vehicle accident.
Speeding and distracted driving are other leading causes of single-vehicle accidents. There is a common characteristic of the top causes of single-vehicle accidents, including driving under the influence of alcohol, driver fatigue, speeding, and distracted driving. That common denominator is driver choice. Each of those things is something that results from a driver’s voluntary choices about what they do both before and during their drive. This is encouraging news for drivers, because it means that they have the power to make choices that will greatly reduce the likelihood that they will be involved in a single-vehicle accident.
Barrett Law PLLC: Serving Mississippi Car Accident Victims and Their Families
If you have lost a loved one in a single-vehicle accident, or if you were injured in a one-car crash, you may be able to recover for the loss or damages that you have experienced. The compassionate and experienced Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC help accident victims and their families recover the compensation that they deserve. Please call our office today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.