- March 16, 2025
- Tucker Law
- Car Accident Lawsuits
Thousands of car crashes happen every day around the world, but when they cost someone their life, the impact on their loved ones is beyond devastating. A single moment can change everything and leave families to pick up the pieces. Understanding the causes of fatal car accidents can help drivers like yourself be more aware and, hopefully, avoid or prevent some of these tragedies.
Losing a loved one in a car crash is an unimaginable loss. If your family has been affected, call Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 for help with your case.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents, especially on highways and rural roads, where speeds tend to be even higher. Speed limits are established for a reason, and they’re not there as mere suggestions. They indicate the speed at which it’s safe to travel on a particular road. When a driver goes over the limit, they put themselves in a position where they can’t react in time to prevent an accident.
The faster a car is going, the harder the impact of the accident. High-speed collisions often cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities because the force they place on the human body is so intense. A vehicle moving at 80 mph doesn’t have the same stopping power as one moving at 55 mph. That increased speed and momentum culminate in less time to react, longer stopping distances, and more severe injuries when a crash happens. Even small speed increases can make a major difference. For every 10 mph over 50 that a driver travels, the risk of death in a crash doubles.
Drunk Driving
Like speeding, drunk driving is one of the most preventable causes of fatal car accidents. Yet, it’s still a major issue in the U.S. Despite strict DUI laws, awareness campaigns, and ride-sharing options, far too many people still get behind the wheel after drinking. Alcohol impairs reaction time, coordination, and judgment. You may think you’re in control, but in reality, your ability to drive safely is severely reduced. Simple actions like staying in the right lane or judging distances become far more difficult.
As fatal car accident statistics show, nearly one-third of all traffic deaths in the U.S. involve a drunk driver. That’s thousands of lives lost every year because someone made the choice to drive after enjoying a few too many drinks.
Distracted Driving
Distractions are everywhere in today’s world. Phones, fast food, GPS, and even chatty passengers all take a driver’s attention off the road. Unfortunately, it only takes a split second of distraction for disaster to strike.
Texting and driving, in particular, represents one of the most dangerous distractions because it involves:
- The visual distraction of looking at your phone instead of the road
- The manual distraction of taking your hands off the wheel
- The cognitive distraction of thinking about the message instead of driving.
At 55 mph, the five seconds it takes for you to check a notification gets you as far as the length of a football field. That’s more than enough time and space for a fatal crash to happen.
A distracted driver doesn’t just put themselves at risk; they endanger everyone around them.
Drowsy Driving
Fatigue can be just as dangerous as alcohol impairment when it comes to driving. Tired drivers have slowed reaction times and aren’t as aware of their surroundings, and their ability to make good driving decisions is affected. Falling asleep at the wheel — even for just a few seconds — is all it takes for a crash to happen. The risk is especially high for truck drivers, shift workers, and anyone taking a long road trip without a break.
Reckless and Aggressive Driving
Reckless driving involves any kind of aggressive or careless behavior that disregards everyone’s safety. Common examples include:
- Tailgating
- Lane hopping
- Ignoring road signs and traffic signals
- Excessive speeding
- Racing on public roads.
These types of behaviors leave very little room for error; one wrong move by an aggressive or reckless driver can cause a deadly collision.
Running Traffic Lights and Signs
Intersections are some of the most dangerous places on the road. Many crashes happen when drivers don’t stop at red lights or stop signs, and these accidents are particularly deadly because they usually involve cars T-boning each other. Drivers run lights and signs for several reasons, from distractions to sheer impatience to even just trying to “beat” a changing light. But the risk isn’t worth it; running a red light could be the difference between making it home safely and never making it home at all.
Vehicle Malfunctions
Sometimes, you may not be actively making a mistake at the moment a crash occurs. Car parts wear down and can have hidden defects, and a sudden malfunction at highway speeds can easily cause an accident, fatal or otherwise. These kinds of crashes usually involve:
- Brake failures (worn pads or brake line leaks)
- Tire blowouts (more common with bald tires)
- Steering issues (broken links or rods or a leak in the power steering system)
- Defective airbags or seat belts.
Regular maintenance and quick repairs are the best ways to keep your car safe on the road. A small issue left unchecked for too long can turn into a deadly problem.
Bad Weather Conditions
Weather can also play a major role in causing fatal crashes. Rain, snow, ice, and fog make driving much more dangerous because of poor visibility, slippery pavement, lack of tire traction, and the need for longer stopping distances, respectively. Drivers can’t control the weather, but they can control how they respond to it. Slowing down, keeping your distance from other cars, and using your headlights make a big difference.
After a Tragic Loss, You Deserve Answers
It’s heartbreaking to lose someone you care about in a car accident, and no amount of money can bring them back. However, if driver negligence caused the crash, holding that person accountable can bring some sense of justice to those left behind.
If your family is facing this kind of tragedy, call Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364. Our team is here to help you through this difficult time.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]