As a personal injury attorney and medical doctor in Arizona, the Dr. Lawyer has seen firsthand the devastating effects that vehicle accidents can have on victims and their families. The consequences of a car accident are never worth the excuses for distracted driving, intoxicated driving, or driving unsafely.
In this report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) labeled the causes of traffic accidents according to the “Critical Reason” for the accident, which may be driver-caused, vehicle-caused, or environmental-caused. This blog post discusses the most common critical reasons attributed to driver-caused car accidents.
Recognition Error
Recognition error occurs when a driver fails to perceive a potential hazard. This can include driver inattention that results in failing to notice a pedestrian crossing the street or a vehicle merging into traffic. Recognition errors are often caused by distractions, such as using a cell phone while driving, or by impairment due to drugs or alcohol. It is important for drivers to remain vigilant and focused on the road at all times in order to avoid recognition errors.
Recognition errors account for 41% of all traffic accidents that are driver-caused. Considering just how many lives are impacted by car crashes in Arizona, recognition errors should concern everyone who travels our roads. What is most tragic is that these types of errors are often completely avoidable, meaning the injuries and deaths caused by such errors are avoidable too.
Decision Error
Decision errors occur when a driver makes the wrong decision while driving their vehicles. This can include misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic, taking a turn too fast, or failing to yield the right of way. Decision errors are often caused by a lack of experience, poor judgment, or simply not paying enough attention. It is important for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and to make careful, deliberate decisions when driving.
Decision errors are the second most common driver-cause of accidents and account for 33% of such car crashes. Arizona drivers should be sure to make the right decisions while driving, but should also be sure to drive defensively and be prepared to respond to other drivers who make a decision error on our roads.
Performance Error
Performance error occurs when a driver is unable to correctly avoid a hazard the driver recognizes. This can include over-correcting a steering maneuver or failing to brake in time to avoid a collision. Performance errors are often caused by lack of skill and sometimes by poor vehicle maintenance.
Performance errors account for 11% of car accidents. It is important for Arizona drivers to practice safe driving techniques and to ensure that their vehicle is properly maintained in order to minimize the risk of performance errors. Training on defensive driving can also help you correctly avoid hazards on the road.
Non-Performance Error
Non-performance error occurs when a driver fails to take any action in response to a hazard on the road. This can include failing to brake or steer in time to avoid a collision. Non-performance errors are often caused by drowsiness. In fact, of all non-performance errors that can lead to an accident, falling asleep behind the wheel was the most common type.
Non-performance errors account for 7% of car accidents. It is important for Arizona drivers to be alert and focused on the road at all times in order to avoid non-performance errors.
"Other" critical reasons accounted for 8% of car accidents caused by driver error.
Recognizing the four common reasons for driver-caused car crashes can help Arizona drivers take steps to avoid collisions. By remaining alert, making careful decisions, practicing safe driving techniques, and ensuring that their vehicle is properly maintained, drivers can help reduce the risk of accidents on our roads.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by someone else's error, The Dr. Lawyer Law Group wants to help. Our Arizona car accident lawyers are not only experienced in your legal rights after a car accident but understand your injuries better than any other personal injury firm. Additionally, we use the data talked about in blog posts like these to hire the most effective experts and present the best evidence in your Arizona car accident case. Call us today for a free case strategy session!