Why Do Car Accidents Happen?

Accidents are one of the most worrisome elements of driving a car. You can control how focused you are and even how good your skills are. You cannot control other people on the road with you. Understanding why accidents happen can be insightful and it can provide you with a bit of information to help you avoid potential accidents.

Keep in mind that accidents are also one of the most significant ways for car insurance rates to go up. To avoid accidents and to keep auto insurance claims lower, consider what's behind most of the accidents that happen today.

What Are the Most Common Reasons People Get into Car Accidents?

There are many reasons car accidents occur and in some cases, there is nothing that could have been done to avoid it. Take a look at the most common causes and what you may be able to do about them yourself.

Driver Distraction: The Distracted Driving website reports that 10 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 that were involved in fatal accidents were distracted at the time of the incident. Whether it is checking a cell phone or changing the radio, or even just speaking to a friend in the backseat, this is one of the leading causes of accidents today.

Equipment Failure: Vehicle failures can lead to devastating accidents, though most are avoided by owners following manufacturer recommendations for maintenance and upkeep. Tires, brakes, steering and suspension are the biggest factors here.

Roadway Conditions: Ice, rain and snow can create very slick conditions and limit a driver's ability to maintain the safest driving. While you may not be able to control the conditions on the road, you can choose to avoid driving when conditions are bad.

Driver Behavior: Along with distracted driving, another easily controllable common accident cause is poor driver behavior. That is, speeding, reckless driving and driving under the influence can all lead to very deadly circumstances.

Every situation is quite different. As you speak to your teen about driving or look at your recent car insurance claim and wonder what went wrong, consider what you could be doing to be a safer driver on the road. You may be shocked by just how often accidents can happen when these situations occur.