Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of fatalities and injuries in Pennsylvania and across the United States. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 30,057 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2013. These crashes resulted in 32,719 deaths. These fatalities varied across different road users. The highest percentage of fatalities involved occupants in cars (39%), followed by occupants in pickups and SUVs (25%), and then occupants in large trucks (2%). The remaining percentage of fatalities involved motorcyclists (13%), pedestrians (14%), and bicyclists (2%).
Common Types of Dangerous Road Conditions
Motor vehicle accidents occur for a variety of different reasons. The most common reason for car accidents is because the driver failed to properly operate the car.
Driver error can be caused by a variety of circumstances, such as failing to properly pay attention to the road, engaging in reckless driving, or operating a car while drunk. Another contributing factor to driver error involves dangerous conditions. Dangerous road conditions present a situation for drivers where the drivers need to use extra caution and care while operating their vehicles.
For example, dangerous road conditions include:
- Poor weather conditions, including rain, snow, ice, fog, wind;
- Improperly maintained roads, such as potholes, lack of lane markers, or no road signs;
- Failure to maintain construction sites, including loose materials and equipment; and
- Defectively designed road conditions, such as steep slopes, dangerous curves, or no guardrails.
Unfortunately, drivers too often fail to pay attention to dangerous road conditions, which can lead to serious accidents. While it is impossible to avoid dangerous road conditions, one can at least take certain precautions to reduce the possibility of an accident. In this regard, it is important for drivers to maintain a safe speed and distance between cars. What’s more, drivers should also make sure to routinely inspect and maintain their cars.
Contact Our Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to have an experienced texting while driving accident lawyer on your side who can protect your rights. At The Pearce Law Firm, we have a team of knowledgeable and experienced car accident attorneys who will fight for your rights. From motorcycle accidents to truck accidents, our attorneys have experience prosecuting all types of motor vehicle accidents.
Contact a Philadelphia car accidents attorney at The Pearce Law Firm for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. You can call us at (215) 557-8686 or visit our office at 14th Floor, 1429 Walnut Street in Philadelphia.
