Driver error. Driver error and poor decision-making are the most common factors in car crashes. A fifth of all fatal accidents and nearly 40 percent of accidents resulting in injuries involve careless driving. Besides careless driving, other contributing causes to accidents include failure to yield right-of-way, improper lane changing, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, following too closely, speeding, improper passing, fatigue and disregarding traffic signals and stop signs. Distracted drivers — those talking on their cells phone or texting—are an increasing cause of accidents.

Car defects. There can be multiple contributing causes to an accident, and not all crashes are the fault of the driver. Defects in the vehicle can also cause accidents. In some cases, injuries suffered in an accident can be made worse by a manufacturer’s design, such as one that makes a vehicle less stable and more prone to rollover. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 280,000 rollover accidents are reported each year, claiming more than 10,000 lives annually. Sport utility vehicles are especially prone to this kind of accident.

Poor road maintenance or design. A poorly designed or maintained roadway or intersection also can cause an accident. Improperly placed traffic signs and signals can lead to unnecessary injury when motorists collide with them. In some cases, flawed designs or poorly maintained roadways will make the governmental agency responsible for the design or roadway maintenance legally liable for the injuries sustained in the accident. Our Florida car accident lawyers have successfully represented victims of poor road design.