Over 36,000 car accidents happen every day. Many of these incidents involve one vehicle rear-ending or turning in front of another. Some occur due to improper lane changes. Unfortunately, too many car or truck accidents happen because one driver is using a cell phone and is distracted.
As a vehicle accident attorney office in Southwestern Ohio (a hub for interstate travel), we encounter automobile collisions that are caused by all sorts of circumstances. But when you really break it down, there are 6 categories that most accidents can be placed into. Even these sometimes overlap.
If you’ve experienced a vehicle accident, it’s important to understand the surrounding circumstances so that you can take the appropriate actions. So, without further adieu, here are…
The 6 Common Causes of Car and Truck Accidents
Understanding how and why these accidents happen is key to determining fault and seeking compensation. While some causes are obvious, others are less expected. Regardless of the cause, all car and truck accidents can be very dangerous.
Distracted Driving
This remains one of the most common causes of car and truck accidents. Whether a driver is texting, adjusting a GPS, reaching for something in the passenger seat, or simply daydreaming, any lapse in focus can lead to serious consequences. Even a moment of distraction at 40 mph can result in a life-altering collision.
Rear-End Collisions
Most car and truck accidents are rear ending collisions. Even if a driver isn’t distracted, things can happen so quickly that they might not be able to react in time. A sudden stop due to something in the road. An obscured sign or signal. Sometimes it’s simply the result of excessive tailgating.
Rear-end accidents may seem minor, but they frequently cause neck and back injuries that linger for months or years.
And while it’s often assumed that the person at the rear is always at fault, that might not be the case depending on the circumstances.
Improper Turns or Lane Changes
Failing to use a signal, not checking blind spots, or misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic can all lead to dangerous and avoidable accidents. These incidents often come down to one driver violating the rules of the road (often at the last minute), resulting in immediate consequences.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
There are reasons why we have speed limits. Excessive speed shortens reaction times and increases stopping distance. They also increase the damage that a crash can cause. Combined with aggressive behavior like tailgating or weaving through traffic, and speeding recipe for devastating accidents, particularly when larger vehicles like trucks are involved.
One aggressive driver can also cause other drivers to become more aggressive, creating a dangerous ripple effect.
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol and drug use remain a major (and completely avoidable) cause of accidents. Despite what they may think when they get behind the wheel, impaired drivers cannot react appropriately or make sound decisions, putting everyone else on the road at risk.
Phantom Vehicles and Unusual Circumstances
We’ve seen collisions caused by drivers swerving to avoid a car that never made contact—or pedestrians stepping into traffic without warning. Sometimes debris falls from another vehicle or a mechanical failure causes chaos. These cases can be especially difficult to navigate, as the direct cause isn’t always clear cut.
Proving Liability in Car and Truck Accidents
All drivers on the road have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. If they breach this duty by acting in a manner that is unsafe or reckless, they can be held liable for accidents or injuries that result from their actions or omissions.
Breach of Duty
All drivers are held to a “duty of care.” When they fail to adhere to the rules of the road, they breach that duty. A breach of duty may include ignoring road signs, exceeding speed limits, driving under the influence, or even failing to maintain their vehicle.
When a driver breaches their duty and causes an accident, they are responsible for the damages caused. If you are injured in a collision due to another driver breaching a duty owed to you and other drivers on the roadway, you have a right to pursue legal action for the injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that you may suffer as a result.
The Importance of Investigation
Establishing fault isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies often challenge liability—even when the cause of the accident seems obvious. A strong investigation can uncover key facts that support your claim, such as:
- Surveillance footage from traffic or business cameras
- Witness testimony
- Physical evidence from the vehicles or roadway
- Cell phone records or data logs (especially for commercial drivers)
This is especially important in truck accidents, where drivers may be working under strict schedules or driving for long hours. Logbooks, maintenance records, and GPS data may all come into play.
What About Shared Fault?
Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages if you were partially at fault, as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible. If you are found to be 20 percent at fault, for example, your compensation will be reduced by that amount.
Because of this, it’s common for insurance companies to claim that you were partly to blame. They may argue that you stopped too suddenly, changed lanes abruptly, or failed to pay attention. Those arguments may be based upon pure fictions. Having strong legal representation helps ensure the facts are presented clearly and fairly.
Need a Car and Truck Accident Attorney in the Greater Cincinnati Area?
No matter what causes your vehicle accident, it is always worth speaking to an attorney. At The Richards Firm, we provide free consultations where we can discuss your case and help you understand your options. Should you choose to move forward with us, we’ll begin aggressively representing your needs, answering your questions, and making space for you to recover from the incident.
With The Richards Firm, you only pay if we win your case.
The Richards Firm has experience dealing with all kinds of car and truck accidents. We’ve helped clients recover compensation for injuries, medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
You can reach us at 513-461-0084 or by visiting our contact page here.
