4 common driving errors that cause serious accidents

1. Tailgating

When a person follows another vehicle too closely, he or she “tailgates” the other driver. This is an aggressive driving behavior that can result in a driver crashing into the back of another vehicle if a sudden stop is necessary. To avoid tailgating, drivers should use the three second rule. This means that at least three seconds goes by between when a car in front of a driver passes a fixed point and when he or she reaches that same point.

2. Distracted driving

Distracted driving occurs when a driver fails to pay full attention to the road in front of him or her. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this common driving error results in over 1,000 injuries and more than nine fatalities on a daily basis in the U.S. A driver can become distracted when he or she text messages, eats, talks on a cellphone or switches the station on the radio.

3. Speeding

Many drivers believe that speeding is only a problem that causes serious car accidents on highways. However, according to the National Safety Council, the number of deaths caused by speeding is higher on minor roadways, like neighborhood streets, than busy highways. In 2012, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that speeding was a factor in nearly a third of all fatal car accidents.

4. Taking risks

When a driver takes unnecessary risks, he or she can cause an accident that causes those involved to need to work with an Illinois car accident attorney. Some of the reckless risks a driver may take include running yellow lights, failing to use his or her turn signal, failing to check his or her blind spots and driving under the influence of alcohol. The CDC states that teenage drivers are more likely to take risks like these than older drivers because they often do not recognize hazardous driving situations. They are also more likely to underestimate dangerous driving situations.

When a driver makes one of these common errors, those involved may sustain serious injuries that harm their ability to live a normal daily life. Car accident victims may benefit from turning to an Illinois car accident attorney who can help them determine what compensation is available to them.