Top 3 Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana

By Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy has been fighting against big insurance companies for nearly 30 years as one of the top Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers and car accident attorneys.

Over 16,000 car accidents happen every day in the US. From fender benders to massive multi-car collisions, car accidents can range from inconvenient to devastating. Here, driving on the dangerous roads of Baton Rouge, we know it all too well. It’s hard to go a day without I-12 or I-10 becoming backed up because of traffic caused by a car crash. But no matter how frustrating it is, we all must do our parts to be better drivers, and to help keep ourselves and other drivers safe.

One of the best ways to do that is by staying informed, and what better way to stay informed than to explore what causes car wrecks and what steps we can take to be better drivers? So what are the top three causes of car accidents? Let’s dive in.

Distracted Driving is the #1 Cause of Car Crashes

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 Americans were killed due to distracted driving in 2019. But, what exactly is distracted driving? The NHTSA describes it as any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from driving. This can include using your phone, eating or drinking, or messing with your radio.

Texting while driving has the most tragic repercussions. Sending or receiving a text takes your eyes off of the road for an average of five seconds, which at 55 miles an hour, is the equivalent of driving an entire football field with your eyes closed. Distracted driving can be incredibly dangerous, so if you’ve been injured by a distracted driver, no matter if you were hit by a car or if you were hit by a truck you should get a Louisiana car accident attorney right away.

Speeding is a Leading Cause of Car Wrecks

Speeding has been involved in about one-third of all motor vehicle-related deaths over the past two decades. Frequently, drivers are late, caught in traffic, or just plain aggressive, which tempts them to speed. Speeding causes a higher risk of losing control of your vehicle and increases the severity of an accident. Additionally, if you’re driving too fast, you have less time to react to a bad situation. That’s why it’s always important to follow the posted speed limit, and never drive faster than is safe for current weather conditions. This is especially true the closer you are to LSU, where speeding, texting, and hit-and-runs are much too common!

Impaired Driving is Another Cause of Car Accidents

Mixing alcohol and driving can be a very dangerous combination and cause devastating effects. Moral implications aside, it’s illegal. As alcohol levels in the body rise, the body starts to experience negative changes to its central nervous system — you begin to lose coordination, short-term memory, concentration, reaction time, and more.

When combined with driving, the combination can result in catastrophe, especially if a truck driver is driving under the influence. Every day about 28 people die in drunk-driving crashes in the United States. While this is the lowest percentage of drunk-driving-related deaths since 1982, it still equates to more than a death an hour. Driving while intoxicated is a dangerous crime that is punished firmly by the law. A first-time offender may be liable to pay upwards of $10,000 in legal fees and fines, plus the additional punishment of jail time.

If you think you have been involved in a car accident with a drunk driver. Be sure to follow our tips on what to do if you’ve been in a car accident right away and contact a local Louisiana drunk driving attorney today.

Contact a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer Today!

While sometimes it can be difficult to understand what caused a car accident, you should never be confused about what to do if you’re involved in one. Be sure you get a car accident lawyer. The Baton Rouge car accident attorneys at Murphy Law Firm have over 150 years of combined experience, and we will work to ensure you receive the best legal counsel and experience. If you were in a car accident, be sure to seek medical attention, then call Murphy Law Firm at (225) 928-8800. No matter where you’re from in Louisiana, we will come to you for a FREE consultation. Discuss your injuries today with one of Louisiana’s experienced car accident attorneys.