Posted in Car Accident, Personal Injury on June 10, 2016

At the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo we are committed to our clients safety. Auto accidents are one of the most common accidents Americans are involved in. Read about some common causes of car accidents and what you can do to prevent them. If you were involved in a car accident our San Antonio car accident lawyers are here to help you recover damages. Call us at (210) 922-2200

  1. Drunk Driving.
    Studies have shown that roughly 300,000 people drive drunk every day. Furthermore, over ½ of all reported automobile accidents resulting in death or life changing injuries include a driver being under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.
  2. Speeding.
    A main reason for speeding is lack of patience, irritability, and fear of being late. When you or those around you speed, the distance that the car needs to stop and the time it takes to stop increase. The harder you press down on the pedal, the faster your car will go, and the more dangerous an automobile accident outcome will be.
  3. Distracted Driving.
    A main contributor to distracted driving is the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than9 people are killed and over1,153 people are injured in crashes that involve distracted driving every day in the United States.
  4. Weather Conditions.
    How drivers react to weather conditions is a main contributor to vehicle accidents because weather conditions alter the mindsets of drivers. Some become more cautious while others become adventurous or reckless. When you mix the two together, the roads become very dangerous and the chances of getting in an accident significantly increase. If you cannot maintain control of your vehicle in these types of conditions, pull over and wait for the storm to pass or simply stay at home.
  5. Reckless or Careless Driving.
    Many drivers don’t understand the dangers involved with operating a motor vehicle until they get in an accident themselves. Others get too comfortable behind the wheel and neglect to check things such as vehicles around them or blind spots in their mirrors. These are main contributors to accidents such as fender-benders.
  6. Inexperienced Drivers.
    Do you remember your first year behind the wheel? At first, it can be very overwhelming. Young drivers are in the process of learning how to control their vehicle while also looking out for speed limits, road signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Experienced drivers tend to forget that not every driver around them is comfortable with driving or experienced like they are. Something as simple as cutting off an unexperienced driver can frighten them and cause them to wreck in to you or other vehicles. Prevent an accident with a teen driver by talking to them about some of the most common risks faced behind the wheel.
  7. Failing to Follow Road Signs.
    Construction signs can change traffic patterns and create confusion on the roads that you were once familiar with. Failing to follow simple changes such as temporary stop signs or speed limit changes can cause serious accidents.
  8. Animal Crossings.
    In Texas, it is very common to see deer and other large (or small) wildlife crossing the road. At times like this many vehicle driver’s panic and react in a dangerous way like swerving. Use extra caution when you encounter an animal crossing sign and be sure to use your high beams when you are traveling through rural or wooded areas. If you see a deer in the road, wait before proceeding—they often travel in groups. (And YES! They are attracted to high beams at night)
  9. Vehicle Recalls.
    A lot of the time, vehicle owners are unaware of recalls on their vehicles. Sometimes, notices from manufacturers won’t appear in the mail until possibly a year later. If you know your car has been the subject of a recall, be sure to take it in to be repaired immediately. Most of the time the repairs and alterations are free of charge (or at least they should be).
  10. Curvy Roads.
    Some drivers have trouble with navigating curvy roads especially when the weather is poor or it is dark outside. Some curves are surrounded by drop-offs, which can lead to the most gruesome accidents. It is important to be awake and alert while maneuvering around curvy roads
  11. Loose Particles.
    In San Antonio, it is very common to see items such as wood, tires, metal, branches, and other dangerous object lying in the middle of the road. To ensure your safety, always be prepared to safely maneuver around obstacles while looking out for the traffic behind you. Often times people don’t realize there is an object such as a tire laying in the middle of the road until it is right before their eyes. This leads to people swerving rapidly into another lane while leaving the vehicle in back of them no chance to dodge it. The best advice for avoiding an accident like this is to stay a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you so you can always get away from unexpected obstacles safely and warn those behind you.

We want you to feel confident knowing that legal help is available to you if you ever need us. If you ever have a legal question feel free to call us 24/7 at (210) 922-2200