Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina

Many different factors play a role in traffic collisions, and almost all of them can be attributed to driver negligence.

If you were injured in a North Carolina car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the experienced attorneys of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, want to help you recover your losses due to the crash.

We understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the legal process after a severe injury in a car accident. We have the resources and knowledge to relieve the burden and help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

Find out more by contacting us for a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina?

Some examples of the most common causes of car accidents in North Carolina include:

• Distracted driving – Distracted driving is the most common cause of car crashes in the United States. Some of the most common types of driver distractions include:
  • Texting while driving
  • Talking on the phone
  • Personal grooming
  • Adjusting the radio
  • Playing games

  • Taking photos and videos
  • Eating and drinking
  • Using a GPS navigation system
  • Daydreaming
  • Rubbernecking
• Driving under the influence – Driving while intoxicated by drugs (legal or illegal) or alcohol impairs a person’s ability to concentrate on their task and slows their reaction time when they encounter road hazards. According to CDC data, 29 people are killed by drunk driving crashes in the United States every single day.
• Reckless driving – When drivers disobey traffic laws, ignore traffic signals and signage, or drive aggressively around other motorists, they can cause terrible accidents.
• Fatigued or drowsy driving – Persons who operate a vehicle for long hours may experience an inability to concentrate on the task of driving and be slower to react to road hazards, which can cause accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 697 fatalities caused by drowsy driving accidents in just one recent year.
• Speeding – When drivers disobey the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident. Accidents involving speeding can also cause more severe injuries due to the force of the speeding vehicle’s impact. Speeding cars are especially dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists, who lack the safety apparatus of a car or truck to protect them in the event of a collision. According to NHTSA data, speeding-related accidents killed a total of 9,478 people in the United States in one recent year.
• Tailgating – Tailgating is a type of aggressive driving that occurs when one driver follows another vehicle too closely. Drivers who tailgate have less time to react when traffic in front of them slows or stops. Tailgating can cause dangerous rear-end collisions.
• Poor weather or road conditions – Inclement weather is another common cause of car accidents. Poor weather such as rain, snow, sleet, and fog can reduce visibility, making it harder for motorists to gauge traffic conditions. When motorists fail to adjust their speed for weather or road hazards, they can cause collisions.
• Failure to yield – Sometimes, drivers cause crashes by failing to yield the right-of-way. This might occur when a driver crosses a roadway as oncoming traffic approaches or when they speed through a crosswalk before pedestrians finish crossing to the other side. This can result in dangerous side-impact (T-bone) collisions as well as collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.
• Failure to stop – Drivers also cause accidents by failing to stop. Accidents can easily occur when drivers run red lights or roll through stop signs.
• Inexperienced drivers – Inexperienced drivers cause car accidents in North Carolina all too often. Teen drivers, in particular, have less familiarity with traffic laws and less experience behind the wheel, so they may not know how to react to certain traffic situations.
• Unsafe lane changes – Drivers who make sudden and unexpected lane changes without signaling to other motorists commonly cause accidents. Those who fail to check their blind spots may not see other cars and motorcycles occupying the lane next to them.
• Dangerous turns – Drivers who turn into an intersection from the wrong lane can easily cause accidents. Many lanes are marked “straight” and “turn.” If a driver is in the wrong lane for their intended direction of travel, it’s safer to follow the posted directions than to cut across lanes of traffic. Left-hand turns into the path of oncoming traffic are another significant hazard.
• Vehicle defects – Although driver error is usually to blame for car accidents, sometimes the manufacturer is liable for a collision. When a vehicle defect causes an accident, the vehicle’s maker or the manufacturer of a specific defective part may be responsible. Defective parts such as brakes, accelerators, steering wheels, and ignitions can result in a car crash.

How Our Lawyers Can Help Establish Someone Else’s Fault for the Crash

To recover the financial losses you incurred as a result of an accident, you’ll need to prove that someone else was at fault for the accident and that your injuries and property damage are due to their negligence. Our attorneys can establish responsibility and build your case with evidence such as:

• Police reports
• Witness testimony
• Driver testimony
• Photo and video evidence, including photos of the accident and surveillance footage from nearby buildings
• Accident reconstruction

North Carolina is a contributory negligence state, which means that if you’re found responsible for the accident in any amount, you won’t be able to collect compensation. Because of this, you will not only need to demonstrate how the other driver was at fault but also defend yourself from any claims of fault. That’s why a skilled attorney is crucial to any North Carolina accident case.

Compensation for a Car Accident Claim

Compensation for car accidents covers expenses and losses related to the accident, including:

Working with a seasoned North Carolina car accident lawyer can give you a much better chance of recouping the compensation you need and deserve.

Contact a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a car accident in North Carolina, get help from the attorneys at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC for help. We’ll be ready to stand up and fight for you. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.