With 3 million people

in the US injured in car accidents every year, it’s unfortunately all too common.

Many people die in car accidents every year, and even more suffer long-term injuries. Although it’s important to know what to do if you get in a car accident, it’s also important to be preventative.

Better to never be in a crash than have to deal with the aftermath, after all.

By knowing the top causes of car accidents, you can mitigate the risk of being in one. Be aware of why cars crash and people end up injured or even dead, and you can make sure it doesn’t ever happen to you.

Causes Due to Human Error

Many times, the causes of car accidents are down to human error. People can make mistakes that lead to them crashing and hurting themselves or others.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a big cause of car crashes, but it doesn’t stop people from doing it.

They might be trying to set a location on their maps app to get directions or change the song that’s playing. Worse, they might be trying to text a friend while focusing on the road.

It’s important to ensure the GPS location is set before you take off, and you should never use your phone while driving.

Reckless Driving

One of the causes of car crashes that’s entirely preventable is reckless driving. Reckless driving can include speeding, changing lanes without indicating, or not following road signs.

This is why it’s extremely important to be patient on the road.

Under the Influence

One of the most dangerous leading causes of car accidents is driving under the influence of something that can impede judgment. There is a death every 50 minutes in the US that involves a drunk driver, so this is sadly common.

Tailgating

Tailgating is the act of following another car too closely, which doesn’t give the driver any time to break should they come to an abrupt stop. There should always be a safe gap between cars, as this is an unfortunate cause of many rear collisions.

Causes Due to Other Factors

Not all car accident causes are down to a negligent driver. Some have external factors that cause bad accidents.

Faults With the Car

Sometimes there’s a fault with the car — for example, the brakes not working correctly. It’s important to keep up with your car and get it checked over regularly to minimize the chance of this happening.

Cars are machines, and things can go wrong.

The Weather

It can be difficult to drive in rain, ice, or snow. Always be aware that the stopping distance will be much longer, and the road can be slippery in these conditions.

Bad weather is one of the major leading causes of car accidents, and sometimes it’s best to avoid driving at all in it.

Know the Top Causes of Car Accidents So You Can Avoid Them

It’s important to know what to do if you’re ever in a crash, but equally important to know the top causes of car accidents so you can mitigate the risk of being in one.

By being aware of what causes crashes, you can be extra conscious about risk factors on the road.

For more driving tips and road safety, check out the rest of our blog!

Were you hit by an uninsured driver? You may wonder if your insurance policy will cover the costs.

What happens if you get hit by someone without insurance?

If an uninsured driver hits your car, your insurance policy may still provide coverage. Most likely, you’re covered if you have a comprehensive policy.

If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, certain policy provisions may still cover the damage. If all else fails, you can resort to litigation.

This article will help you learn how to deal with accidents without insurance. Let’s explore.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Your insurance may cover the damages if you have uninsured motorist coverage (UIM). UIM is additional insurance protecting policyholders against uninsured drivers. However, the uninsured policy usually won’t cover anything over your primary policy.

• Example: If you have $75,000 in primary coverage, your UIM policy won’t cover anything beyond $75,000.

UIM isn’t mandatory in most states. You may have UIM coverage and not know it. Comb through your insurance policy to see if you have a UIM provision.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is another optional portion of your insurance policy. It can help you pay for damages caused by an at-fault driver, including drivers without insurance.

However, collision insurance will only pay for car repairs. It won’t cover medical expenses, and it won’t cover anything beyond your policy limit. Check your policy to see if you have collision coverage.

The Legal Option

Contact a lawyer if you don’t have collision insurance or UIM. However, suing an uninsured driver for damages can be a futile effort, especially if the driver has little to no assets. If the driver has assets, you can bolster your case by:

• Photographing the accident scene
• Filing a police report
• Documenting injuries (if applicable)
• Gathering witnesses
• Contacting an attorney

In many cases, the defense will usually negotiate a settlement before your case goes to trial. A lawyer can help you through the negotiation process. If negotiations fall through, the case goes to a civil trial.

Be Aware of No-Fault Laws

In a no-fault state, all drivers must pay for damages and injuries on their own. This means you cannot sue a driver, even if they don’t have insurance.

In a no-fault state, you can only sue the other party if you sustained severe injuries. Moreover, you must incur pricey medical bills. However, only twelve states have no-fault laws.

What Happens if You Get Hit by Someone Without Insurance?

If you’re wondering, “What happens if you get hit by someone without insurance?”, your insurance policy will pay for the damages in most cases. If you have additional coverage (i.e. collision insurance or uninsured motorist coverage), you stand a high chance of receiving compensation.

If insurance doesn’t cover the damages, you can sue the driver. To learn about your odds of winning an uninsured motorist case, speak to an attorney.

Do you need to find a reliable mechanic? Click here to learn more about finding the right repairman after an accident.