Leading Cause of Car Accidents in Greensboro

Car accidents are an all-too-common occurrence on North Carolina roads. The annual report by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (NHTSA) shows that there were 1,437 deaths from car accidents statewide that occurred during a single recent year. Another 4,611 people sustained serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents during the same year. These numbers represent thousands of drivers’ lives that were either ended or damaged in just a single year.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the experienced car accident lawyers at Ward Black Law want to help. We’re recognized in Greensboro and across North Carolina for our results and dedication to our clients. As a result of our efforts and our reputation, U.S. News & World Report named founding attorney Janet Ward Black its 2020 Lawyer of the Year for personal injury cases in the Triad.

Want to know more about how we can help with a car accident case? Call us today or visit our contact page to get a free initial consultation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Greensboro, NC?

Some of the most common causes of car crashes in the Greensboro area include:

• Distracted driving – Talking on the phone, sending or reading a text message, adjusting the music, eating or drinking, daydreaming, and other distractions take a driver’s eyes and focus off the road. Statistics from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program report show that 81 people died during a single year from distracted driving accidents statewide.
• Driving under the influence – Driving under the influence of alcohol inhibits drivers’ reflexes, slows their cognition, impairs their judgment, and increases the chance of them falling asleep at the wheel. The Governor’s Highway Safety Program report shows there were 421 fatalities as a result of drunk-driving crashes during one year. There were 420 alcohol-related crashes in Greensboro, resulting in 13 deaths and 342 injuries in one recent year, according to a North Carolina Traffic Crash Facts report prepared by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. These statistics show that alcohol impairment was one of the most common causes of vehicle accidents in Greensboro. In the same year, there were 671 alcohol-related crashes across Guilford County. These crashes resulted in 21 deaths and 505 injuries.
• Reckless driving – Changing lanes without signaling, stopping suddenly, and other kinds of reckless driving all increase a driver’s chances of being involved in a car accident.
• Fatigued/drowsy driving – Driving while fatigued makes it harder for drivers to see and anticipate hazards on the road, as well as respond correctly in emergency situations.
• Speeding – Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Greensboro and throughout North Carolina. Speeding makes it harder for drivers to spot emergency situations or hazards in the roadway. It also gives drivers less time and room to react when emergencies arise. It’s no wonder that records show there were 327 speeding-related fatalities statewide in a recent year. Speeding was responsible for 31.9 percent of all traffic fatalities that year.
• Tailgating – Following too closely makes it harder for drivers to avoid an accident if the car in front of them has to suddenly stop.
• Poor weather/road conditions – When drivers fail to take into account and adjust their driving for bad weather and poor road conditions, the chance of an accident greatly increases.
• Failure to yield – When drivers don’t yield the right of way at intersections or when merging, they greatly increase the chance of an accident.
• Failure to stop – Running a red light is an especially dangerous way for accidents to occur, particularly if the driver is intoxicated or distracted.
• Inexperienced drivers – Young drivers may not fully know the rules of the road or they may take unnecessary risks, increasing their odds of causing an accident.
• Unsafe lane changes – Drivers put themselves and others at risk when they don’t give themselves enough time or room to change lanes.
• Unsafe turns – Failing to allow for proper time and distance to make a turn safely is the cause of many car accidents.
• Vehicle defects – A brake failure, steering failure, or other mechanical defects can cause a crash.

These are some of the most common causes of car accidents in Greensboro. If you were injured in a car crash in Greensboro or elsewhere in North Carolina, contact our firm for help with your claim. We are prepared to investigate what caused the accident and work to hold the negligent party fully accountable for the damages you’ve suffered.

What to Do If You Have Been Hurt in a Crash

Here are the steps to consider if you’ve been hurt in a car crash:

• Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Delaying treatment or not following your doctor’s orders could affect your physical recovery and reduce the amount of compensation you receive.
• Save all your medical records and other evidence documenting your injuries and financial losses. Your medical records are a key piece of evidence. They show the extent of your injuries and how they occurred. They may also show the extent of your financial losses after an accident. Other evidence like your pay stubs can help show other financial losses you’ve suffered.
• Write down the details of the accident and start a pain journal. Writing down what happened will keep the details of the crash fresh in your memory for later recall. You’ll also want to start a journal and keep track of your daily pain. This will show how your injuries have impacted your daily life, which is crucial for recovering compensation for pain and suffering.
• Don’t make any public statements about the accident. Don’t say anything about the accident on social media. Don’t give any statements to either your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer without speaking to a lawyer first. Anything you say about the accident, even if it’s said in private, could potentially be used against you. Therefore, it’s important to watch what you say and let a lawyer handle any communication between you and the insurance companies.
• Get a lawyer as soon as you can. A lawyer can advise you of your legal rights and give you advice about how to maximize the value of your claim. Acting quickly is also important if you want to avoid any issues with North Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims.