Car accidents are going to be more or less likely depending on the area. Furthermore, different areas deal with different problems, and as a result, it is important to understand these different areas’ risk factors. The South Alabama area is no exception to this, and the common causes of car accidents here are going to be relevant to both residents and people who intend to visit
Common causes of car accidents in South Alabama
Dangerous driving
This is an obvious example, but it still needs to be said. Dangerous driving can come in many shapes and sizes. One of the most common examples of dangerous driving is speeding, where the faster a person goes, the worse their reaction times are. Driving while under the influence is also an obvious example, as it similarly diminishes reaction times, as well as diminishing people’s inhibitions. Distracted driving, however, is one of the worst examples, just because of how common it is. Distracted driving manifests thoughts of talking or texting on the phone, but there are so many small things that can be considered distracted driving. For example, even fiddling with the radio can count, so make sure you know what you want to listen to before you get to driving.
Animals
Animals are an unfortunate obstacle that people in South Alabama have to contend with often. One of the most common species encountered on the road are deer, and unfortunately, deer have a tendency to do a lot of damage to your vehicle if you collide with them. What’s worse is that, when they are crossing the road, they often completely freeze up as a result. This is because the lights blind and confuse them. Deer are not the only hazard you have to worry about, however. Dogs and other animals, while not as destructive, may cause an accident just by virtue of causing drivers to swerve to avoid hitting them.
Night driving
Night driving is an inevitability for some, but it stands to reason that it creates a risk of an accident due to various factors. For one, people driving at night may run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. This is a lot more common for people who normally do not drive at night. On the other hand, even if a person ismore experienced with driving late, there are a lot of things they have to worry about, including — and especially — other people and animals on the road. When you are driving late at night, you cannot see others as well, meaning that if someone makes an error with their vehicle, you will have less time to react to their actions. You are also that much less likely to see animals on the side of the road.
Poor road maintenance
This is a little less avoidable if there are a lot of roads that are dealing with poor maintenance. Potholes can do a lot of damage to your vehicle if you find yourself on the wrong end of it. A pothole can range from relatively minor to potentially devastating, and even if the hole is minor, it will one day become a serious risk if it is not taken care of by whatever organization is expected to maintain it. Sadly, a lot of government leaders view these kinds of expenditures as not being worth their time, money, or effort, and as a result, more accidents and injuries have occurred than there should be. If you feel that your injury and/or vehicle damage was caused by negligence in not keeping roads well maintained, your best option is to consult with Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana injury lawyers. They will not only help you figure out the best route to get compensation, but also help handle all the most frustrating aspects of the process.
Poor weather
Poor weather is something that is a little harder to anticipate, and as a result, can be hard to plan around. Some areas have different kinds of weather; for instance, drivers in Minnesota have a lot more to worry about with snow and ice than people in Alabama, who have little to no experience with either. Rain can still be a devastating thing to drive through, especially if accompanied by high winds. Rain may seem to not be a big deal, but it is not at all unlikely that you may find yourself hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is when your tires encounter more water than the tread on the tires can adequately disperse, leading to your tires losing friction and, thus, you lose control of your vehicle.
