In the United States, Ohio is regarded as one of the most dangerous states to drive in. This is because thousands of car accidents occur in the state. Driving is an activity that requires a lot of attention, alertness, patience, and knowledge of road regulations. When it comes to driving, you find yourself sharing the road with other vehicles.
You could have all the qualities of a good driver, but what about the next person on the street? A single mistake on your part or theirs could lead to an accident. You cannot dodge all car accidents; however, you can prevent many of these accidents.
Learning about the common types of car accidents in Ohio can keep you alert and more careful while driving. It can also help you know what may have caused a car crash if you have recently been involved in one.
Causes of Car Accidents in Ohio
This article would discuss in detail six typical causes of Ohio car accidents. Find them below.
- Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) could refer to alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence is dangerous and not acceptable under the law. When drivers are under the influence, they shouldn’t drive because drugs and alcohol slow down the driver’s reaction time and reflexes. If there is danger ahead, the driver might be unable to make quick and crucial decisions such as braking or swerving. In the end, the outcome could be fatal. According to the Ohio Highway Patrol, there have been over 16,000 DUI related accidents in Ohio in 2020 so far.
- Distracted Driving
A distracted driver is one who averts his or her attention from the road for a reason. They could get distracted while texting, checking the GPS, talking to passengers in the vehicle, monitoring their kids, eating food, or zoning out. Such distractions could lead to several things, for instance, running a red light, improper lane change, swerving into oncoming traffic, and several others. Accidents that result from distracted driving tend to occur at high speeds, which can have devastating consequences.
- Bad Weather
The weather conditions in Ohio are significant reasons for traffic accidents in the state. Weather elements like rain and snow make the roads more difficult to use. The roads could become slippery and dangerous when they have water, snow, or ice on them. There is then a need to drive more carefully in these cases. Some drivers do not adjust their driving to suit the road conditions, putting other road users in danger. Weather elements could also obstruct the driver’s view of the road. If the driver cannot see the traffic ahead of him, this could be catastrophic.
- Speeding
Speeding or over-speeding is another major cause of car accidents. Speeding involves going over the required speed limit. Driving at an unsafe speed is dangerous for the driver and other users of the road. When a driver is at top speed, he could experience a brake failure or lose control of the vehicle. This could then lead to a collision with other cars, pedestrians, or roadside objects.
- Teenage Driving
Teenage driving is a common cause of road accidents because teenagers are inexperienced, and they are likely to get distracted when driving. Another problem with adolescent drivers is their likelihood of texting while driving. With these factors considered, it is clear just how dangerous inexperienced teenage drivers can be.
- Tailgating
Tailgating occurs when one driver follows the driver ahead too closely. In 2013, tailgating was the number one cause of car accidents in Ohio. Tailgating could be because the driver is ignorant of the appropriate following distances or they have poor eyesight. You are to give the proper distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. So that in an occasion where the driver ahead of you slams on the brakes suddenly, you do not collide with the other car.
Involved in an Ohio Car Crash? Contact an Ohio Car Accident Attorney
Drunken driving, distracted driving, speeding, and the other aforementioned are just a few of the various causes of car accidents in Ohio. If you have recently been involved in a car crash in Ohio, getting legal help as soon as possible is vital. You can get compensation from the other driver if it is found that they are primarily at fault. Contact an Ohio car accident attorney today to find out more about the next legal step to take after a car accident. We have several car accident attorneys on standby to help victims of car accidents.
