How Highway Accidents Happen

Auto accidents can happen anywhere, from parking lots and driveways to city streets and dirt roads. Yet most catastrophic accidents typically occur at great speeds on highways. No matter how safe and attentive you are behind the wheel, another driver can put you in harm’s way. Sadly, whether you drive a car, truck, or motorcycle, these accidents can leave you badly injured, out of work, and struggling to pay your bills. It’s important to be mindful of the factors that contribute to highway crashes so you can stay prepared.

Causes of Highway Accidents

Highway accidents happen for many reasons:

• Driving Under the Influence: Driving drunk is a common cause of auto accidents. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 people die every day in the United States in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.
• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving claimed more than 3,000 lives in 2017 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Forms of distracted driving include texting or talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, using the GPS, eating, drinking, and talking to passengers.
• Speeding: It may be tempting to exceed the speed limit on a highway, especially late at night with few cars around. However, speeding is the second most common cause of auto accidents in the United States. Because these accidents take place at high velocity, they’re often fatal.
• Driving While Tired: Following a long day at work, drivers are often less alert than usual. If you find yourself exhausted on the highway, pull over and take a rest break before getting back behind the wheel.
• Reckless Driving: Reckless driving includes dangerous and erratic behaviors such as speeding, changing lanes too quickly, and driving aggressively.
• Sudden Lane Changes: Drivers sometimes change lanes without checking that it’s safe to do so. Other times, they may think the path is clear when a car is in their blind spot. A sudden lane change from another driver can leave you with little or no time to react.
• Inclement Weather: Rain, snow, ice, and fog all make roads less safe, whether on a local side street or a four-lane highway. 
• Tailgating: A form of road rage, driving too close to the car in front of you is dangerous. Be sure to keep a safe distance from other cars so you have time to react if the vehicle in front of you slows down or stops suddenly.

Types of Highway Accident Injuries

Because highway accidents take place at high speeds, they often result in major injuries such as:

• Head trauma
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Herniated discs
• Post-traumatic stress
• Paralysis
• Death

How a Highway Accident Attorney Can Help

A highway accident can be life-altering. Not only can it cause you physical harm, it can also lead to daunting medical expenses, property damage, time away from work, and emotional duress. While you focus on healing, let an experienced personal injury attorney at Morgan & Morgan fight on your behalf to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. It costs nothing to get started — we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we get paid only if we win. Fill out a free case evaluation today.