Accidents can be caused by any number of things, from inclement weather and animals crossing the street to speeding drivers and malfunctioning stoplights. While there are practically endless causes of motor vehicle wrecks, most collisions are a result of a handful of frequent causes.
Below are some of the most common causes of car accidents in Litchfield.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of auto accidents in Litchfield. There are three ways in which a driver can be distracted: visual, manual, and cognitive. Anything that takes your eyes or attention away from the road or your hands from the wheel is considered a dangerous distraction when driving. Examples include:
An estimated 10,000 fatalities per year are caused by distracted driving in the United States.
It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Connecticut, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. In most cases, a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher is over the legal limit, but there are some circumstances in which the limit is lower. Even if someone drives while within the legal limit, they may still be guilty of driving under the influence if their driving is impaired. Any illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs that affect someone’s ability to operate their vehicle safely could lead to a charge of driving under the influence.
Over 38 percent of fatal accidents in Connecticut involve an impaired driver, which is higher than the national average of 30.8 percent.
When people think of road rage, images of violence and extremely reckless driving likely come to mind. However, aggressive driving is a type of road rage, and it happens every day in Litchfield and throughout Connecticut. When tempers run high, and patience is low, motorists often act out by:
Incidents like this create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road and are a leading cause of car accidents.
Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system, which dictates how fault is determined after a car accident and how compensation is awarded for damages. The state’s negligence rule establishes the following:
Negligence plays an important role when considering the common causes of car crashes in Litchfield. Identifying the at-fault party and proving that their negligence led to your injuries is a crucial part of seeking justice after an accident.
The attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have been a trusted source of legal representation for injured people for over 100 combined years. Whatever the cause of your accident, we can help you build a case and seek fair compensation from the at-fault party. Contact us to schedule a free in-person or virtual consultation and learn more about common causes of car accidents in Litchfield and how to take legal action.
