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Which Drivers Cause the Most Accidents?

The causes of car accidents are analyzed on a number of levels. How old was the driver? What kind of car was involved? What caused the wreck? While it is easy to get caught up in the statistics, it is important to realize these are more than just numbers. Accident statistics represent disaster, pain, and personal loss, all of which may have been preventable.

The experienced car accident attorneys at Studinski Law, LLC understand the hardships that accident victims face due to negligent drivers. We have helped people across Wisconsin pursue the full and fair compensation they need to get their lives back on track. We are committed to providing our clients with the seasoned counsel and personal attention their cases deserve.

What Age Group Causes the Most Car Accidents?

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers over 20. In fact, teenage drivers cause significantly more accidents than senior drivers.

The United States Census Bureau estimates that 12.2 percent of auto wrecks in the U.S. are caused by teenage drivers while elderly drivers over the age of 65 are responsible for 7.5 percent of crashes.

Who Causes More Car Accidents, Men or Women?

Men get more traffic violations, DUIs, and are found responsible for a higher number of car accidents than women. However, on average, men also drive more miles than women. Although there are roughly a million more licensed female drivers than male drivers, men drive approximately 40 percent more miles every year.

What Driving Behaviors Cause the Most Car Accidents?

Although auto accidents happen for many reasons, the vast majority of them occur as a result of an error on the part of one or more drivers. Studies have found that driver error is responsible for approximately 90 percent of accidents that occur in the U.S.

Of the car accidents that are caused by driver error, a large percentage of those are the result of some type of driver negligence. Some of the most common causes of driver-related auto accidents include:

• Distracted drivers: Every day, more than 1,000 people are injured and nine people are killed because of distracted driving, making it the leading cause of accidents today. Distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of driving. Texting, eating, and adjusting onboard controls are just some of the top causes of distracted driving.
  
• Speeding drivers: Speeding is the second most common cause of motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. Not only does speeding increase the likelihood of a wreck, it also increases the potential severity of both the impact and subsequent injuries of a crash. While most speeding accidents involve drivers who exceed the speed limit, it is important to note that driving too slowly is also dangerous, except for situations in which it is necessary.
  
• Intoxicated drivers: By now, there should be no question about the inherent dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol and drugs affect a driver’s coordination, reaction time, concentration, comprehension, vision, and tracking. Intoxicated drivers are responsible for nearly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities. In the United States, approximately 10,000 people die in alcohol-related crashes each year.
  
• Aggressive drivers: Road construction, gridlocked traffic, and everyday stress can sometimes push drivers over the edge into aggressive driving and road rage. Aggressive drivers tend to speed, tailgate, merge without signaling, switch lanes erratically, scream, and use rude gestures. Aggressive driving crosses the line into road rage when drivers assault other drivers or passengers, use weapons, or use their vehicles as weapons.
  
• Drowsy drivers: Drivers who get only five or six hours of sleep at night are almost twice as likely to be in car wrecks than drivers who get a good night’s rest. Consuming alcohol, drugs, or medications can also make drivers sleepy. When sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea go undiagnosed, they also go untreated, potentially leading to catastrophic road accidents.

In addition to the behaviors listed above, poor weather and road conditions are also responsible for many accidents every year. In the event of snow, ice, or rain, slow down and keep a safe traveling distance between you and other vehicles on the road. Slippery roads mean less traction and longer stopping distances.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer In Wisconsin Today

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, you may be facing high medical bills, debilitating pain, and time away from your job that you cannot afford. The accomplished car accident lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC have extensive experience helping injury victims recover the justice and compensation they deserve.

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Don’t face your injuries alone. Call Studinski Law, LLC today at (715) 343-2850 for a free case review. Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout Wisconsin, including Plover and Marshfield.