In many accidents, “driver error” is blamed for a collision. Usually, the issue in legal terms revolves around the idea of negligence. In a court case involving a car accident, the defendant may have allegedly done something – or failed to do something – to prevent a car crash. Some of the more common examples of negligence and driver error include:
1) Ignoring traffic signs and devices. Not stopping at a stop sign, light, and not giving the right of way at a yield sign create accidents when the cars with right-of-way hit the car running the light or stop sign. Many such accidents also involve high speeds, because the driver trying to drive straight through sometimes speeds up to “beat” a red light or to squeak through at a stop sign. Many such accidents also cause cars to collide perpendicularly, causing a “T-bone” crash. Because of the speed and position, such crashes often cause serious burn injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities.
2) Rear-end collisions. These car accidents occur when a car collides with the car in front of them. Sometimes, this occurs because one car stops very suddenly. However, in many cases, the driver who is rear-ending the car in front is considered to be at fault, because such collisions are often preventable if the driver is maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of them and is paying attention to traffic.
3) Dangerous driving. Driving on the wrong side of the road, distracted drivers, dangerous passing, and dangerous turning are frequent causes of car accidents. These are often preventable because it is the driver’s recklessness that has caused the accident.
4) Product defects. In some car accidents, product liability is an issue, especially when there appears to be something mechanically wrong with the vehicle. However, if a driver has failed to ensure that their car is properly maintained and safe, the driver may be held liable for the damages caused.
5) Incorrect use of lights. Cavalier use of turn signals, headlights, signal lights, and brake lights and incorrect maintenance of lights in a car can cause miscommunication on the road, which can lead to accidents.
6) Road rage. Road rage occurs when a driver gets so upset and angry that he or she attempts to harm someone or engages in dangerous or reckless driving.