With more traffic on the roads than ever before, car accidents are becoming an increasingly common occurrence in East Tennessee, with hundreds of accidents taking place each day. Unfortunately, car accidents can have serious consequences, resulting in severe injuries and even death. In fact, fatal car accidents have been on the rise in Tennessee in recent years, and there have already been over 4,500 fatal or serious
injury car accidents in the state so far this year.

Considering that car accidents are often caused by driver negligence, it is important that drivers do their part to prevent accidents by driving safely and by taking precautions when behind the wheel. A great way to reduce your risk of being in a car accident is to know why car accidents occur. To help keep you safe on the road, here is a look at the most common causes of car wrecks in East Tennessee.

​Distracted Driving

​One of the most common causes of car accidents in Tennessee is distracted driving, which accounts for more than 20,000 accidents annually. Inattentiveness behind the wheel can be serious, as taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can lead to a potentially devastating car accident.

It will likely come as no surprise that cell phone use is the most common cause of distracted driving accidents, followed by eating, adjusting the radio, and applying makeup. Ultimately, any activity that diverts your eyes or attention from the road can put you at risk of being involved in a car accident. This makes it critical that you avoid all distractions while behind the wheel. The fact is that picking the right song, or replying to a text, is not worth putting people's lives at risk.

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Drunk Driving

Another frequent cause of car accidents is driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Even as states across the country crack down on intoxicated driving by imposing stricter penalties for DUIs, intoxicated driving continues to be a leading cause of accidents. In Tennessee alone, the Department of Safety & Homeland Security estimates that over 6,000 car accidents each year are the direct result of alcohol use. 

It is then critical that you do not make the mistake of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as your impaired thinking and reduced reaction time could put yourself and others on the road at risk. The fact is that DUI accidents can lead to severe injuries and even death. Additionally, drivers caught driving under the influence could lose their license, face higher insurance rates, find it difficult to get employment, and they could even face jail time. Thusly, if you plan on going out and having drinks with friends, it is critical that you make a plan to get a ride home or use a ride-sharing app so that you do not drive intoxicated.

Speeding

Speeding is another leading cause of car accident-related injuries and fatalities in Tennessee. Of course, most people have been guilty of pushing the speed limit from time to time, particularly when running late. However, the fact is that speed limits are put in place for a reason, as they are meant to keep everyone safe on the road. When you drive higher than the posted speed limit, this reduces the amount of time that you will have to react to changes in road or traffic conditions, which drastically increases the chances that you will be involved in a car accident. In fact, speeding is a leading cause of rear-end collisions, as drivers who are speeding often do not have enough time to stop when traffic slows down suddenly. 

Not only does speeding increase one's risk of being involved in a car accident, but speeding also increases the risk that a car accident will result in serious injuries. Driving fast means that, should you collide with another vehicle, greater force will be involved, which can lead to serious injuries for you or the other driver. It is then important that all drivers do their part by slowing down and abiding by posted speed limits to ensure everyone's safety.

Reckless Driving

Running late for school or work can be frustrating, but it is never an excuse to drive recklessly, as driving in a reckless manner can put drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk. Reckless or aggressive drivers may tailgate (by driving too close to the car in front of them), or they may even swerve in and out of lanes to try to get ahead of other drivers; however, such tactics greatly increase the risk of a car accident. 

Not only will swerving in and out of lanes to get ahead of other cars not save you much time, but it will increase the likelihood that you will change lanes into another car if you are driving erratically, particularly if you do not use your turn signal. Tailgating can also have serious consequences, as following the car in front of you too closely will not give you time to respond if they slow down/stop suddenly, which could cause a rear-end collision. It is then important that drivers slow down, have patience, and leave plenty of room between themselves and other vehicles on the road.

Running a Red Light or Stop Sign

As a driver, it is likely that you frequently see people run red lights or ignore stop signs altogether. Unsurprisingly, such actions commonly cause car crashes, as the car who failed to yield to the direction of traffic that had the right-of-way will often be hit by, or collide with, another vehicle, resulting in a t-bone accident. This makes it important that drivers pay attention to the road so that they do not miss any stop signs or red lights. Also, you should make a point of taking a second at intersections to make sure that cars coming from the other direction are stopping (even if you have the right-of-way), as this could reduce your risk of being t-boned by a reckless driver. 

Knowing the most common causes of car accidents in Tennessee can allow you to take precautions to help you stay safe on the road. Of course, even if you take every possible precaution, you may still be involved in a car accident if another driver acts negligently. 

If you have been injured in a car accident and you believe that another driver's negligence is to blame, it is important that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help you secure compensation for your injuries. Feel free to contact us to find out how we can assist you if you have been injured in a car accident in East Tennessee. As The Car Wreck Pro Attorneys, Fox and Farmer will always be there for you if you are involved in a car accident.