Unfortunately, car accidents happen every minute of every day across the United States. In Kern County alone, for the year 2008 there were 3,460 injury accidents and one hundred and three deaths as a result of vehicular accidents, according the California Highway Patrol. While roadway conditions and defective parts can be the cause of an automobile accident, the vast majority of accidents are caused by human error, says Kern County car accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates. So what are the most common errors committed by drivers?
By far the most common cause of vehicular accidents is the use of handheld devices. Despite a California ban on the use of handheld devices while driving, many drivers continue to use them, according to Kern County car accident attorney Emery Ledger. Whether someone is talking on a cellular phone, texting or checking for directions, the time they spend on the device takes away from their attention to the roadway. Those few seconds can mean the difference between avoiding a collision and having one. Studies tell us that we have only about two seconds to recognize a potential accident and react to it to avoid the collision. If we are distracted by our handheld device, then we have lost the opportunity to react to the threat.
Another major contributor to car accidents in Kern County is drowsy driving. People simply do not recognize when they are too tired to be on the road. With people working more hours and commuting farther to work, the chance of becoming drowsy behind the wheel continues to rise. Sadly, most people do not even realize that they are falling asleep until it is too late and they have been involved in a collision. Additionally, both over the counter and prescription medications can contribute to drowsiness while driving. Sometimes people take medication without realizing how it will affect them with tragic results.
Distracted driving in general is another leading cause of car accidents, according to Kern County car accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates. Aside from handheld use, drivers can become distracted for a number of other reasons. Talking to passengers in the car, changing the radio station, looking at another accident and eating are just a few of the examples of distracted driving. All of these activities can cause the driver to taker his eyes off the road and can potentially be the cause of an accident.
All of the above accident causes are examples of negligent driving. If you have been involved in an accident and believe that the other driver was at fault – or negligent – then you may be entitled to recover compensation for any injuries that you sustained in the accident. Consult with an experienced Kern County car accident attorney to see what your legal options are. Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates has been practicing car accident litigation for over twelve years in Kern County and would be happy to give you a free detailed evaluation of your case. Contact him at his office at 1-800-300-0001 or visit him online at www.ldedgerlaw.com
