What Are the Causes of Fatal Car Accidents?

July 29, 2024 | By Colombo Law

There are many potential causes of fatal car accidents. Sadly, the majority of these accidents are avoidable—caused primarily by human error that places the lives of both the drivers themselves and others on the road in danger.

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States, resulting in tens of thousands of lost lives each year. If you have lost your loved one in a fatal accident, it is vital to speak to a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible.

At Colombo Law, we are passionate advocates for anyone who has lost a loved one in Ohio due to the negligence of another driver. We have extensive experience investigating the causes of fatal car accidents and pursuing fair compensation for wrongful death.

Call Colombo Law at 614-362-7000 today for a FREE case review. Our experienced attorneys serve clients in Columbus and throughout Ohio.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Fatal Accidents?

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that an estimated 94% of vehicle accidents are caused by drivers. Weather, vehicular issues, and other causes make up only a small percentage of overall crashes.

We see the same pattern in fatal accidents. By and large, they are caused by human error—whether that error is recognition-, decision-, or performance-related. Let’s take a look at the most common.

Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Sadly, drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of fatal car accidents. According to the National Safety Council, nearly one-third of traffic deaths occurred in crashes where alcohol was a factor. In 2022 (the most recent year of data), there were 13,524 deaths associated with alcohol-impaired driving.

There have been long-term improvements in the percentage of fatal accidents caused by drunk driving. In 1982, for example, alcohol was involved in 48% of traffic deaths. However, the number of people killed in drunk driving accidents is still far too high.

Speeding

Speeding has also long been one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents, accounting for approximately 30% of deaths in crashes over the last 20 years. It is important to recognize that speeding fatalities are not just about driving above the posted speed limit but also not appropriately taking adverse conditions, such as wet or icy weather, into account.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving also claims the lives of thousands in the United States every year. NHTSA statistics show that more than 32,000 people died in distracted driving accidents over a 10-year period.

While we often equate distracted driving with cell phone use, it’s important to recognize that it encompasses more than that. The CDC recognizes three types of distracted driving:

Visual: taking your eyes off the road
Manual: taking your hands off the steering wheel
Cognitive: taking your mind off driving

Any type of distraction can lead to a fatal collision—not just texting or talking on the phone.

Not Wearing Seat Belts

According to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, 61% of people killed in crashes in Ohio were not wearing a seat belt. While failure to wear a seat belt may not be the cause of a fatal accident per se, it can mean the difference between an accident that ends in an injury and an accident that ends in a fatality.

Inexperience

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office also reports that drivers in Ohio under the age of 24 make up 31% of those involved in crashes—even though that demographic only makes up 13% of licensed drivers. Without question, inexperience is a leading contributor to driver error and, unfortunately, one of the leading causes of accidental death for teenagers and young adults.

What to Do If Your Loved One Was Killed in a Car Accident

Regardless of the causes of a fatal car accident, the consequences are often the same. Most notably, grieving family members are left mourning their loved one.

If you have recently lost a loved one due to another driver’s negligence, it is important to understand your rights. You may be entitled to compensation for both the economic and non-economic losses you have endured and will continue to endure, including:

Cost of medical care, if your loved one initially survived their injuries
Funeral expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Mental anguish
And more

Losing a loved one can place an immense emotional and financial burden on any family. It is vital to pursue all of the compensation you deserve for such a loss.

Colombo Law Can Help

Nothing can undo the accident that led to your loved one’s passing. For that, we offer our condolences and sympathy.

At the same time, it is important to us that surviving families obtain the compensation they deserve for the pain, suffering, economic losses, and other damages they have experienced as a result of their loved one’s death. No one who is forced to endure such a tragedy due to someone else’s negligence should have to face it alone.

Get in touch with the Ohio car accident attorneys at Colombo Law today for your FREE case review. We serve clients throughout Ohio from our office in Columbus.