Do you know the most common cause of collisions in Shreveport?
Road accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they occur for a combination of reasons. Drivers can become distracted behind the wheel. Drivers can get tired after long drives, or the weather can limit visibility. Roads can be unsafe. Some collisions are more severe than others, but nearly all collisions will result in either property damage or injuries of some kind. After a collision, some drivers may find it difficult to get the compensation they deserve.
In this post, the NWLA personal injury attorneys at Gordon & Gordon will list the five most common causes of collisions in Shreveport, Louisiana, counting down to the most common cause of collisions. We will also discuss how each of these causes of collisions factors into car accident fault, and other factors of a personal injury case. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to the fault of another, call 318-716-HELP today to schedule a free consultation concerning your injury claim.
Rain/Weather Conditions
Nobody likes to drive in the rain, but here in Louisiana, it’s an inevitability.
Rain is a highly common cause of collisions in Shreveport. It’s easy to see why: when the road becomes overly wet, the tires on your car can’t grip the road as well. Vehicles may slip and slide on the road. Decreased control of your vehicle means an increased likelihood of an accident.
If your tires are low on air or if the tread is not deep enough, you have even less control over your car in rainy conditions.
In addition, as we said, nobody likes to drive in the rain. In a particularly heavy rainstorm, an inexperienced driver might panic. When rainy weather causes a collision, police and the courts will usually determine fault on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes in situations like these, there is no fault, and then it will be up to your own insurance to compensate you. The best way to avoid this situation is to be very aware of your surroundings when it is raining.
Reckless Driving
Unfortunately, reckless driving is a very common cause of collisions in Shreveport. When someone on the road is swerving, ignoring road signs, or speeding, collisions and injuries are likely.
Reckless driving can occur in combination with intoxication. Or it can simply be a motorist more concerned with getting to their destination than safety. If you sustain an injury in a car accident due to another’s reckless driving, the fault is relatively easy to determine. In most cases, the opposing party’s insurance will compensate you for injuries. In cases that require negotiation with this other party’s insurance, it is absolutely necessary that you have an attorney to represent you.
Drunk Driving
Even though drunk driving is often simply the cause of reckless driving, it is such a common cause of collisions that it deserves its own mention.
When people drive after drinking alcohol, they compromise their response times and ability to focus on the road.
All 50 states have laws regarding drunk driving. All of these laws note a .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit. Once a person reaches this limit, they are driving under the influence of alcohol.
For many motorists, alcohol can affect their driving even before they reach this .08 limit. These collisions are very preventable; if you have been drinking, don’t get behind the wheel.
Drunk driving is a clear violation of the law. If you sustain an injury due to someone driving under the influence of alcohol, they are most likely liable for your injuries.
Speeding
Speeding is the second most common cause of car accidents in Shreveport. Since these accidents usually occur at high speeds, there is also a possibility of serious injuries.
Driving above the speed limit may not seem like a big deal. Everyone does it, right? But remember that driving above the speed limit is illegal. When you speed, you are breaking the law.
Also, speed limits exist for a reason. The set speed limit is the fastest you can travel on the road in question without becoming dangerous to other drivers. When you drive above that speed limit, you are more likely to lose control of your car. The time it will take you to stop to avoid obstacles will also increase. Thus, even small increases in speed can increase your likelihood of a crash.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the most common cause of collisions in Shreveport and all over the country. Since the growing popularity of cell phones and now, text messaging, distracted driving causes more collisions than speeding, drunk driving, and other major causes of accidents.
There are many reasons drivers can become distracted behind the wheel. Using a smartphone while driving, eating, and drinking from a cup or mug are the most common causes of distracted driving.
It can be difficult to prove when someone caused a collision due to distracted driving. Usually, it requires eyewitness testimony or some proof that the other party was driving erratically due to distraction.
What Should I Do After A Car Accident in Shreveport?
It’s important to know what you should do after a car accident so you don’t make your situation worse.
First, make sure you stay on the scene of the accident. Otherwise, police could charge you with a hit and run, even if you aren’t technically at fault.
If you haven’t sustained any injuries and the other party is also unscathed, you should exchange insurance information. Key pieces of information are:
- Contact information of the other driver
- Any witness information
- The other vehicle’s make, model and license plate number
- Photos of the damage to both cars
- The name of the other driver’s insurance company
- Location or address of the accident
- The police officer’s name and badge number (if the police arrive on the scene)
If there are extensive damages to your car or if you sustained serious personal injuries, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Even if the process isn’t particularly contentious, an attorney can help you speed up the proceedings and make sure that you get all the compensation you deserve.
Contact Shreveport Car Accident Attorneys Gordon & Gordon Today
For more information about the most common cause of collisions in Shreveport, or for more information about personal injury and car accidents, contact the Gordon & Gordon Law Firm. You can call us 24/7 at 318-716-HELP or leave us a message on our website!