Car accidents occur daily on the streets, roads, and highways throughout the Wilmington area. While the circumstances surrounding each crash are different, some typical and common causes account for a disproportionately large number of Wilmington collisions.
At Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, our experienced car accident attorneys understand how someone else’s negligence causing a collision could affect your life and livelihood. We are committed to making you whole again after an injury accident. That means seeking accountability from the at-fault party and refusing to settle for less than what you deserve.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash in Wilmington or elsewhere in North Carolina, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll sit down with you to discuss your accident, how it’s impacted your life, and how our team can help you seek justice.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Wilmington
The leading cause of Wilmington car accidents is motorist negligence. When a driver fails to exercise caution behind the wheel, their carelessness can lead to severe injury or fatal car accidents.
The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles finds 285,074 reported traffic crashes in a single recent year. Those crashes injured 125,232 people and claimed the lives of 1,470 individuals.
While negligence is the overarching cause of most accidents, negligence can take many different forms.
Some of the most common causes of Wilmington car accidents include:
- Distracted driving – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in a recent year, distracted driving resulted in the loss of 3,142 lives on U.S. roadways. Distracted driving is technically any behavior that diverts a driver’s hands or attention from the safe operation of their vehicle. Using a cell phone, texting, personal grooming, eating, drinking, daydreaming, watching videos, using a GPS, or adjusting the radio are examples of distracted driving behaviors. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles calculates at least 3,856 accidents on North Carolina roads were caused by drivers distracted by electronic communication devices, other electronic devices, and other passengers during one recent year.
- Driving under the influence – Drugs and alcohol can significantly impair a driver’s ability to function physically and cognitively. No matter how often they hear about how unsafe drinking and driving can be, some drivers continue to push the boundaries of safe and acceptable behavior.
- Fatigued driving – Drowsy or fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Sleep deprivation impacts the body in much the same way as alcohol, impairing vision, judgment, cognition, reaction time, and coordination, according to the Sleep Foundation.
- Speeding – Speeding is a form of aggressive driving, and it can have dire consequences. Speed-related circumstances caused at least 92,446 accidents in North Carolina during one recent year, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Tailgating – Tailgating is another form of aggressive driving that can cause significant accidents like rear-end collisions. Tailgating occurs when one driver follows another vehicle too closely. If the lead driver needs to react to changing road conditions, the tailgating driver may not have enough time or space to avoid causing a crash.
- Failure to Yield – Drivers are responsible for understanding who has the right of way when navigating Wilmington intersections. Failing to heed the right of way can cause serious accidents near intersections, crosswalks, and when merging on and off interstates and other roadways.
- Unsafe lane changes – Sudden or erratic lane changes are hazardous, as are lane changes when drivers fail to use turn signals. Other motorists cannot anticipate or predict when another driver will make a move, making unsafe lane change collisions negligent and potentially deadly.
- Inexperienced drivers – Driving is a skill that can be strengthened with practice and experience. Young drivers do not have a wealth of experience, meaning they are more likely to be involved in accidents.
- Inclement weather – Motorists who drive inappropriately in inclement weather conditions can lose control of their vehicle and cause a crash.
- Road construction – Road construction can cause changes in traffic patterns, changes in speed limits, and litter roadways with debris. Drivers should always use caution in construction zones to avoid devastating collisions with other vehicles or construction workers.
- Vehicle defects – Driver negligence does not cause every accident. Design flaws and manufacturing defects can also cause accidents or make injuries more severe than they otherwise would have been.
Common Injuries from a Wilmington Car Accident
Some of the most common injuries reported in Wilmington car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Bone fractures
- Facial injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Contusions
- Lacerations
Types of Compensation You Could Recover
You could be owed significant compensation if a negligent driver or another party’s carelessness has injured you. Depending on the specifics of your case, this could include payment for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Why You Need an Attorney to Help with Your Case in Wilmington, NC
To recover the money you deserve after a Wilmington car accident, you must prove that another driver or other party was at fault for the crash, your injuries, and related losses. Proving fault is not always easy. You need an experienced car accident attorney on your side to secure evidence and aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf.
An experienced car accident attorney could help you by:
- Investigating the cause of the crash
- Gathering crucial evidence to prove negligence
- Managing communication with the insurer
- Negotiating on your behalf for fair compensation
- Preparing your case for court if necessary
North Carolina uses a contributory negligence rule. If you were even 1% responsible for causing an accident, you would be barred from recovering any compensation. That is another reason why it is crucial to hire an experienced North Carolina car accident to fight for you.
Contact Our Experienced Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers Today
What causes the most car accidents on Wilmington roads? Unfortunately, the answer is usually poor decisions by other drivers. If you want to recover meaningful compensation after an accident involving a negligent driver, contact the Wilmington car accident lawyers at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, for a free consultation.
