Car accidents are among the most common causes of personal injuries in Canada. Over the last few years, the country has seen a significant rise in the number of car accidents reported annually. In the year 2016, nearly 35,972 accidents involving almost 500 deaths were reported in Ontario alone. By far, senior citizens above the age of 65 years account for the majority of fatalities followed by young adults between ages 25 and 35.
While on many occasions, accidents may occur due to a combination of reasons, from unsafe road design to poor visibility and bad weather, in other cases, it may be due to the lack of cautiousness on the driver’s part. Listed below are 6 factors that make a person accountable for a car accident –
1. Speeding
An increase in speed multiplies the risk of accidents and the severity of injuries following an accident. When you are driving at high speed, you tend to lose control when faced with an obstacle. A speeding car needs a greater distance to stop – this is known as the braking distance – and hence, is more susceptible to accidents. Therefore, a car moving at high speed will have a greater impact during the crash and hence will cause more injuries. Besides, the ability to judge the forthcoming events also tend to be reduced while driving at a faster speed, causing an error in judgment and eventually leading to a crash. Therefore, the driver must be aware of the speed he/she is traveling at and stay within the permitted limit.
2. Impaired driving
Impaired driving i.e. driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication is a criminal offense in Ontario under Section 253 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Alcohol impairs a person’s judgment, resulting in a slow reaction or delayed response while driving. It affects one’s basic motor skills, such as eye-hand coordination. This includes double vision or blurry vision, because of which, staying focused on the road becomes even more difficult. Driving under the influence of drugs also affects your ability to drive safely. Harder drugs, like opioids, may make you feel drowsy while others can lead to aggressive driving.
3. Distracted driving
While mobile phones have made it possible to stay connected with your loved ones at all times, they are also a major distraction when you’re behind the steering. In Ontario, an estimated 8 out of 10 accidents are a result of distracted driving. This implies that every 30 minutes, one person sustains injuries pertaining to accidents caused by distracted driving. Currently, navigation devices and mobile phones are the leading causes of distracted driving. Reading or sending texts takes your eyes off the road even if it is merely for a couple of seconds. Besides, other possible causes of distraction while driving may include loud music in the car, adjusting the mirror, engaging in conversations with a fellow passenger, and eating or drinking while driving.
4. Traffic signal violation
Violating traffic signals is a common sight on the roads. The main motive of doing so is to save time, especially if you are in a hurry. Nevertheless, by jumping the red light, the person behind the wheels is not only breaking traffic rules but also putting themselves, as well as others (vehicles and pedestrians) at risk of sustaining damages and injuries.
5. Lack of maintenance
Vehicle maintenance is crucial to road safety. Besides careful driving, it is one of the best ways to prevent a car accident. Car owners must carry out regular maintenance to avoid a malfunction, breakdown, or disastrous system failure of their vehicle. Failure to keep up with the maintenance of your vehicle could pose a threat on the road and lead to car accidents.
The responsibility rests on each driver to be more cautious and prevent the occurrence of car accidents by protecting themselves and their vehicles against any danger to the best of their ability. Nevertheless, the consequences of a car accident could be devastating, involving serious injuries to the driver and/or the pedestrian, as well as damage to the property and vehicle.
Why you need a Personal Injury Lawyer
All car accident injuries are not the same and may vary from minor wounds to more severe, fatal injuries to the brain or spinal cord. If you are injured in a car accident caused due to reckless driving or negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurer of the party at fault. If need be, your lawyer will represent you in the court of law and help you file a claim and receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
You will need to keep copies of all medical documents signed by licensed healthcare professionals to bolster your personal injury case. We understand that the physical and mental trauma, as well as the financial burden resulting from the injuries, may weigh you and your loved ones down.
At Claim Settlement, our network of lawyers we connect you with… have over 20 years of experience in handling personal injury and accident cases and have helped clients recover the maximum compensation in claim settlements. Our initial consultation is absolutely free and you don’t pay your lawyer until you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have suffered an injury or been in an accident call us at 1-833-892-5246 for a free consultation or e-mail us at claim@claimsettlement.ca