Getting into a car accident can lead to several unwanted consequences, including permanent injuries, loss of earnings, etc. Why not do everything you can to avoid a car accident in the first place then? Here at our San Diego personal injury law offices we would like to help you understand the causes of car accidents, and therefore help you learn preventative measures for automobile accidents.

1. Drunk Driving Accidents Near Me
2. Accidents With Drunk Drivers
3. Drunk Drivers Accidents Today

While some of these car accident causes may seem obvious and redundant to experienced drivers, this list aims to educate all levels of drivers, from the teenage driver who just got his license, to the senior driver with 40 years experience behind the wheel. Learning to drive a car takes many instructional hours behind the wheel, especially if that driver wants to avoid causing automobile accidents. Let our Top 25 Causes of Car Accidents be your guide towards a lifetime of car accident prevention not just in San Diego, but anywhere.

70% of young drivers who died in underage drinking and driving accidents didn't use a seat belt. 27% of the young male drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking at the time of the crash, compared with 15% of the young female drivers involved in fatal crashes.

For the top causes of motorcycle accidents, click here.

Drunk driving numbers for youths and teens decreased by half between 1991 and 2012, they are still at risk whether they are the drivers or not. Motor vehicle wrecks are the leading cause of death in the United States for persons under age 24, whether as the driver or the passenger, with almost half involving alcohol as a factor in the crash. Drunk Driving Accident Statistics Drunk Driving Accidents are a Major Concern Statewide and Nationally. While the emphasis on harsher punishments, stricter limitations, and national education has helped bring awareness to the problem of driving while intoxicated, it still remains a leading cause of injury and death in the United States. Hardcore drunk drivers continue to wreak havoc on our nation’s road accounting for 70% of drunk driving fatalities, where there is a known alcohol-test result for the driver - a trend that has remained relatively unchanged for more than a decade. People driving under the influence of alcohol are commonly referred to as drunk drivers, or drink-drivers. 'alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents claim 17,000 American lives each year- the equivalent of one death every 30 minutes. An increase of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02 percent doubles the relative risk of a motor vehicle crash among 16- to 20-year-old males, and that risk. A drunk driving accident that results in injury or loss of life is tragic. However, some accidents are particularly horrific because of high fatality rates, terrible injuries, or other circumstances. Due to unawareness of the possible effects of alcohol use, it can lead to fatal injuries, accidents and even death. Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. 1 This is one death every 50 minutes. 1 The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion. 2 Thankfully, there are effective measures that can help prevent injuries and deaths from alcohol-impaired driving.

1. Distracted Driving

The number one cause of car accidents is not a criminal that drove drunk, sped or ran a red light. Distracted drivers are the top cause of car accidents in the U.S. today. A distracted driver is a motorist that diverts his or her attention from the road, usually to talk on a cell phone, send a text message or eat food.

More on how distracted driving causes accidents

2. Speeding

You’ve seen them on the highway. Many drivers ignore the speed limit and drive 10, 20 and sometimes 30 mph over the limit. Speed kills, and traveling above the speed limit is an easy way to cause a car accident. The faster you drive, the slower your reaction time will be if you need to prevent an auto accident.

More on how speeding causes accidents

3. Drunk Driving

When you drink, you lose the ability to focus and function properly and its very dangerous when operating a vehicle. Driving under the influence of alcohol causes car accidents every day, even when they are one the top causes that can be avoided. Always use a designated driver if you go out and drink.

More on how drunk-driving causes accidents

4. Reckless Driving

If you don’t drive carefully, and you may end up in a needless car accident. That’s what often happens to reckless drivers who speed, change lanes too quickly or tailgate before causing a car accident. Reckless drivers are often impatient in traffic so be sure to take extra care around aggressive drivers.

More on how reckless driving causes accidents

5. Rain

If the weather gets bad so do the roads. Car accidents happen very often in the rain because water creates slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles and often causes automobiles to spin out of control or skid while braking. To avoid a car accident, drive extra careful when it rains.

More on how the rain causes accidents

6. Running Red Lights

When you’re driving your car, red means stop and not doing so usually leads to car accidents. Drivers that run red lights, run the risk of causing wrongful death because they often cause side-impact collisions at high speeds. To avoid a car accident, look both ways for oncoming cars as you approach a green light.

7. Running Stop Signs

Stop signs should never be ignored, but when they are, serious car accidents are often the result. Each year, thousands of car accidents occur because one driver ran a stop sign. Many rollover accidents and side-impact car accidents result from drivers that run stop signs. You should always look both ways when proceeding through a stop sign.

8. Teenage Drivers

Youth is wasted on the young, but careful driving is never wasted on young drivers. Unfortunately, teenagers aren’t often known for their carefulness. When teen drivers hit the roads they don’t always know what to do and that lack of experience ends up causing car accidents.

More about how teenage drivers cause car accidents

9. Night Driving

Driving in the daylight can be hazardous, but driving at night nearly doubles the risk of a car accident occurring. When you can’t see what’s up ahead you don’t know what to anticipate as you drive towards it. As the sun goes down, your awareness of the road and cars around you must go up.

More on how night driving is a top cause of accidents

10. Design Defects

No product is ever made perfectly, and cars are no different. Automobiles have hundreds of parts, and any of those defective parts can cause a serious car accident. Many automakers have had problems with design defects in the past, including Ford Explorer rollover accidents and Toyota’s unintended acceleration crashes.

More on how design defects cause car accidents

11. Unsafe Lane Changes

There will always come a time where you need to get over to another lane (i.e. exit from a freeway, get in the correct lane to make a turn, etc.). When drivers don’t make safe lane changes properly, it often leads to a car accident. To prevent a needless car accident, use your turn signal, check your blind spots and always proceed carefully into the next lane.

Excel repair software with crack. More on how unsafe lane changes cause car accidents

12. Wrong-Way Driving

Everyone has lapses in judgment, but when behind the wheel of a car, those clouded instincts can be deadly. You can turn down a street thinking it is a normal right turn, when in actuality, it is a one-way street in the opposite direction. When you go the wrong way, everyone is in danger because as you head towards a car accident.

More about wrong-way driving car accidents

13. Improper Turns

The reason that we have stop lights, turn signals, and lanes designated for moving either right or left as opposed to straight is because when drivers ignore the rules of the road, car accidents are often the result. To prevent a car accident, always look for signs and obey the proper right-of-way before you make a turn.

More about car accidents caused by improper turns

14. Tailgating

Many drivers are impatient and reckless, driving so close to another car that they cannot react in time if the car in front of them brakes suddenly. Many fatal car accidents have occurred when a motorist dangerously tailgated another driver at high speeds. You can prevent these car accidents by giving the car in front of you a one-car-length buffer for every 10 mph you drive.

More on how tailgating is a top cause of accidents

15. Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

It’s not only alcohol that is dangerous when mixed with drivers on the road. Drugs, both legal and illegal, can impair your ability to fully function as a driver. If your mind isn’t clear and you don’t have complete control over your body, getting behind the wheel can lead to serious car accidents.

More about drugged driving car accidents

16. Ice

You’re driving down the road, it’s dark out and you want to get home for the warm fire. Next thing you know, you’re car is spinning dangerously out of control because you hit black ice. While San Diego hardly ever has ice, ice is a major cause of car accidents for cities with cold weather climates.

More about how icy roads cause car accidents

17. Snow

Snow’s dangerous mixture of ice and water is a dangerous recipe for car accidents each winter storm. Like ice, snow is not something you usually encounter when driving in San Diego. Cities with cold winters know all-too-well just how dangerous snow can be for commuters.

More about car accidents in the snow

18. Road Rage

Everyone has been angry at another driver for one reason or another, but some drivers let their rage overcome them. By tailgating another driver in anger or speeding past another driver only to pull in front of them and brake, these road “ragers” cause many needless car accidents each year.

More on car accidents caused by road rage

19. Potholes

Motorists in San Diego are well aware of the dangers posed by potholes in the street. Drivers run the risk of losing control of their car or blowing out a tire when they drive over these potholes. If you see a pothole in your car’s path, you can avoid a car accident by making sure that your tires do not drive over it.

More on how potholes cause car accidents

20. Drowsy Driving

Driver fatigue isn’t talked about a lot, but how well can we expect anyone to drive when they’re having trouble staying awake. Most of the car accidents caused by drowsy driving occur at night. If you find yourself wanting to fall asleep at the wheel, pull over when it’s safe and try to take a quick 30 minute power nap.

More on drowsy driving car accidents

21. Tire Blowouts

Most highways are littered with the scattered remains of a tire blowout. Tire blowouts can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, and they are especially dangerous for bigger automobiles like semi-trucks. When encountering a tire blowout, try to maintain control of your vehicle and pull over safely and you will likely avoid a serious car accident.

More on car accidents caused by tire blowouts

22. Fog

Fog isn’t the most common weather occurrence, and that’s good news for car accidents statistics. Driving is a skill that requires the ability to see, but fog makes it extremely difficult to see sometimes more than a car length in front of you. Avoid car accidents by using your head lights — and never your high beams — when driving in the fog.

More on car accidents in the fog

23. Deadly Curves

Some people call them dead man’s curves, but everyone should be careful when approaching a curve. Many motorists have lost control of their cars along a dangerous curve and lost their lives in a car accident. So when you approach these signs, take head of the posted speed limit and drive cautiously to avoid a car accident.

More on how deadly curves cause accidents

24. Animal Crossings

While drivers are required to know the rules of the roadway, wild animals do not take driver’s education. Wild animals will wade out into the street, and it’s up to you to make sure that you don’t get into a car accident with them. Take caution when you see an animal crossing sign and use your high beams when traveling in rural, woody areas.

More on avoiding car accidents at animal crossings

25. Street Racing

Glorified by the Fast and the Furious movie franchise, street racing is an underground culture of fast cars and deadly car accidents. With turbo engines and nitrous oxide boosters, cars often reach very high speeds during a street race, making any resulting car accident much more dangerous and unlikely to yield any survivors.

More on car accidents caused by street racing

Honorable Mention

• High Winds
• Loose Objects in Cars
• Police Car Chases

Call Us Now to Maximize Your Auto Accident Settlement

If the unfortunate happens and you do get into a car accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is to seek legal representation quickly. Our experienced San Diego auto accident lawyers will help you avoid costly mistakes many people make when dealing with insurance companies who are often looking out for their best interests, not yours.

Remember, you only get one settlement for personal injury. Don’t you think you should do everything in your power to maximize your settlement?

If you were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and believe that you deserve compensation, then call our bilingual law offices right away at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a FREE consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney in San Diego and find out how we can help you. We look forward to providing good advice for your case. There is no cost for your initial consultation, and there are no fees until we recover a fair auto accident settlement.

Teenagers and Cars Can Be A Deadly Combination

Before you hand over the car keys to your teenager, know the facts. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 20. When teen drivers ride with other passengers, their risk of being in a fatal car crash doubles. Overall, teenagers underestimate or are unable to recognize hazardous driving conditions.

No matter what the cause, car accidents are scary and can cause life-changing injuries. Our attorneys and legal staff try to make things as simple as possible for you while working hard to get you the compensation you need and deserve. Call 1-866-943-3427 for a free legal consultation or fill out the form at the top right of this page for a free legal consultation.

The following figures were the most up-to-date statistics at the time of our latest research. If you have any questions, or require more recent information, please refer to our sources at the bottom of this page for more information. Here are some shocking statistics concerning teenage drivers:

Teen Drivers, Cell Phones, and Texting

• 32.8% of high school students nationwide have texted or e-mailed while driving.
• 12% of distracted drivers involved in fatal car accidents were teens ages 15 to 19.
• Talking on a cell phone can double the likelihood of an accident and can slow a young driver's reaction time to that of a 70-year-old.
• Drivers under the age of 20 make up the largest percentage of distracted drivers.
• 56% of teens admit to talking on cell phones while driving.
• 13% of teens admit to texting while driving.
• 34% of teens age 16 and 17 admit that they send and respond to text messages while driving.
• 48% of kids ages 12 to 17 report being in a car when the driver was texting.

Underage Drinking & Driving Statistics

• About 1/4 of fatal teen car accidents involve underage drinking and driving. (MADD)
• About 5.8% of 16- and 17-year-olds and 15.1% of 18- to 20-year-olds reported driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year. (MADD)
• About 8.2% of high school students reported driving a car or other vehicle one or more times when they had been drinking alcohol.
• 13.5% of 12th graders reported driving after drinking.
• Kids who start drinking young are 7x more likely to be in an alcohol-related crash. (MADD)
• 33% of the young drivers ages 15 to 20 who were killed in crashes had a BAC of .01 or higher and 28% had a BAC of .08 or higher (the legal limit for drivers over age 21).
• Nearly 60% of young drivers involved in fatal drinking and driving crashes didn't use a seat belt.
• 70 % of young drivers who died in underage drinking and driving accidents didn't use a seat belt.
• 27% of the young male drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking at the time of the crash, compared with 15% of the young female drivers involved in fatal crashes.

Teen Driving Statistics By Year

2017 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• 17,321 teen drivers in Pennsylvania were involved in crashes
• 2,526 teens were killed in crashes nationwide
• Nine percent of teenage motor accidents involved distracted driving
• In 2017, motorcycle riders aged 15-20 were killed, an 11 percent increase from 2016
• 1,830 drivers aged 15-20 were killed in alcohol-related crashes
• 22 percent of teen drivers were not wearing a restraint during a crash, but account for 57 percent of fatalities

2016 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

Pennsylvania

• 4.4 percent of 17-year-old drivers and 4.7 percent of 18-year-old drivers were involved in crashes – the highest percentages of any other age group.
• The most common type of crash for young drivers (16-21) is hitting a fixed object (such as collisions with trees, utility poles, embankment, guiderail, etc.) This is the most common type of crash overall, also attributing to the highest number of fatalities.
• 10 percent of teenage driver deaths were the result of distracted driving.
• Drunk drivers account for 12 percent of the total driver fatalities in the 16-20 age group, a decrease from 16 percent in 2015.

National

• 10 percent of all teen driving fatalities in 2016 involved distracted driving.
• In crashes involving a distracted teen driver, 51 percent of fatalities were teens themselves.
• Of the 451 young drivers killed who had alcohol in their systems, 368 (82 percent) were at .08 g/dL or higher (past the legal driving limit for those legally permitted to consume alcohol).
• Of crashes with available seatbelt usage information, 47 percent of young drivers killed were unrestrained at the time of the crash.

2013 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• There were 2,524 motor vehicle related deaths among teens.
• 120 of these deaths were motorcycle related.
• 10% of teenage driver deaths were the result of distracted driving.
• There was an 11% decrease from 2012 to 2013 in teen motor vehicle accidents.
• Only 55% of highschool students reported that they always wear a seatbelt.
• 22% of teens admitted that they had ridden with a driver that had been drinking alcohol.
• An estimated 8 teens died per day in car accidents.
• June had the highest amount of accident deaths in teens, resulting in 260 fatalities.
• 54% of car crash deaths in teens occured on either Friday (405), Saturday (524), or Sunday (437).
• Most teenage motor vehicle crash deaths occured between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

2012 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• There were 2,823 motor vehicle accidents among people age 13- to 19-years-old.
• 2,228 teenagers died in motor vehicle accidents in 2012.
• Of all motor vehicle crash deaths, teenagers accounted for 8%.
• In the first part of 2012, 240 16- and 17-year-old drivers died in car accidents.
• Overall, 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths increased 19 percent from 2011.
• Compared to all other days of the week, the most teen driving fatalities occurred on Sunday.

2011 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• 7.7% of students rarely or never wore a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else.
• Only 54% of high school students reported they always wear a seat belt when riding with someone else.
• More male (8.9%) than female (6.3%) students didn't wear a seat belt.
• 32.8% of high school students nationwide texted or e-mailed while driving.

2010 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• 3,115 teenagers died in car accidents.
• About 2 out of every 3 teenagers killed in car accidents were males.
• 58% of teenage car accident fatalities were drivers.
• 59% of teenage passenger deaths occurred in vehicles driven by another teen.
• Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 17% occurred when a teenager was driving.
• 81% of teenage motor vehicle deaths were passenger vehicle occupants. The others were:
• pedestrians (9%)
• motorcyclists (4%)
• bicyclists (2%)
• riders of all-terrain vehicles (2%)
• people in other kinds of vehicles (2%)
• 55% of teen car crash deaths happened on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• Half of teen car accident deaths occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight.
• 54%, or 1,532, of the 2,814 teens killed in car accidents weren't wearing a seat belt.
• 11% of fatal car accidents involving teens were related to distracted driving.

2009 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• 3,214 teens ages 15 to 19 were killed in car accidents.
• 196,000 teens were injured.
• Young drivers between 15- and 20-years-old accounted for 6.4% (13.3 million) of total drivers on the road.
• 11% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes were between the ages of 15 and 20.
• There were 3,589 male drivers involved in fatal crashes, as opposed to 1,558 female drivers. Also, there were 1,682 male driver fatalities, as opposed to 654 female fatalities.
• Of the 5,148 young drivers involved in fatal crashes, nearly 20% had previous speeding convictions. More than 950 had been convicted previously with other harmful or moving offenses.
• 33% of young drivers ages 15 to 20 killed in crashes had a BAC of .01 or higher and 28% had a BAC of .08 or higher.
• 60% of young drivers involved in fatal crashes who were drinking didn't use a seat belt. Of the young drivers who were drinking and died in accidents, 70% didn't use a seat belt.

2009 Teen Motorcycle Accident Statistics

• In 2009, 205 young motorcyclists (ages 15 to 20) were killed, and an additional 5,000 were injured.
• Of the young motorcycle riders who were fatally injured, 26% were not wearing helmets.
• Of the young motorcycle riders who were fatally injured, 39% were either unlicensed or driving with one that wasn't valid.

2008 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• 5,864 teen drivers ages 15-20 were involved in fatal car accident.
• Young drivers between 15- and 20-years-old accounted for 6.4% (13.2 million) of total drivers on the road.
• An average of nine teens ages 16-19 were killed every day from motor vehicle injuries.
• 2,739 drivers ages 15-20 were killed and an additional 228,000 were injured in crashes.
• A total of 4,054 teens between the ages of 13-19 died in car accidents.
• 81% of teens killed in car accidents were passengers.
• 63% of teenage passenger deaths occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager.
• 20% of teen car accident deaths happened between 9 p.m. and midnight. 56% occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• August had the highest number of teen car accident fatalities.
• 12% of all drivers involved in fatal accidents were between the ages of 15 and 20.
• 14% of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes were young drivers.
• About 2 out of every 3 teens killed in car accidents were male.
• 36.9% of people killed in young driver crashes were the young drivers themselves
• 31.4% were passengers of young drivers
• 24.4% were occupants of other vehicles
• 7.0% were non-motorists.
• There were 87,004 drivers ages 16 and 17 on the roads in Pennsylvania.
• There were 242 fatalities in accidents involving young drivers (ages 15-20) in Pennsylvania in 2008:
• 112 of the deaths were young drivers themselves.
• 64 of the deaths were passengers of young drivers.
• 52 were occupants of other vehicles involved in the crashes.
• 14 of the deaths were non-occupants.
• 25% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in car crashes had a BAC of 0.08 or higher.
• 63% of young drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes weren't wearing seat belts.
• Almost 3 out of every 4 teen drivers killed in car crashes after drinking and driving weren't wearing a seat belt.

2008 Teen Motorcycle Accident Statistics

• During 2008, 346 young motorcycle riders (age 15-20) were killed and an additional 8,000 were injured.
• 35% of the bikers between 15 and 20 who were fatally injured in crashes in 2008 were not wearing helmets.
• Of the young bikers involved in fatal crashes in 2008, 43% were either unlicensed or driving with an invalid license.
• In 2008, 26% of young male motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had been drinking at the time of the crash, compared to 13% of young female riders.
• Among bikers ages 16-19 involved in fatal crashes in 2008, 49% were involved in single-vehicle crashes.

2007 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• 4,946 teenagers ages 13 to 19 died in motor vehicle crashes.
• From 1998 to 2007:
• 36.9% of people killed in car accidents involving teen drivers were the young drivers themselves.
• 31.4% were passengers.
• 24.4% were occupants of other vehicles.
• 7% were non-motorists.
• Approximately 2 out of every 3 teenagers killed in car accidents were males.
• 61% of teen passenger deaths occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. Among passenger deaths of all ages, 20% occurred when a teenager was driving.
• Seat belt use among fatally injured teen drivers was higher than among fatally injured drivers ages 20 to 29 but lower than among drivers 30 and older.
• Among fatally injured 16- to 19-year-old occupants, seat belt use among passengers (31%) was lower than among drivers (4%).
• 55% of car accident deaths among teens occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• 34% of teenage car accident deaths occurred between 6 pm and midnight.
• 22% of fatally injured male teenage drivers had high blood alcohol content levels, compared to 11% of females.

2006 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• 5,156 teenagers ages 13 to 19 died in motor vehicle crashes.
• About 2 out of every 3 teenagers killed in auto accidents in 2006 were males.
• Teenagers accounted for 10% of the U.S. population in 2006 and 12% of car accident fatalities.
• Teens comprised:
• 14% of motor vehicle deaths among all ages
• 7% of pedestrian deaths
• 4% of motorcyclist deaths
• 10% of bicyclist deaths
• 62% of teen passenger deaths occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 20% occurred when a teenager was driving.
• 54% of car accident deaths among teens occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• 34% of teenage car accident deaths occurred between 6 pm and midnight.
• About 18% of fatally injured drivers ages 16 to 17 had BACs of 0.08% or higher in 2006, down 57% since 1982.

2005 Teen Driver Car Accident Statistics

• Car accidents were the leading cause of death among 13- to 19-year-old males and females in the United States. 33% of deaths among 13 to 19 year olds occurred in car accidents.
• Almost 400,000 teenagers in auto accidents sustained injuries serious enough to require emergency treatment.
• 16 to 19 year olds are at the highest risk to be involved in a car accident. This age group is 4x more likely than older drivers to crash.
• Teenage male drivers and passengers were more than 1.5x more likely than their female peers to be involved in a fatal car crash.
• Of male drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 who were involved in a fatal crash, 38% were speeding and 24% had consumed alcohol.
• A 2005 national survey found nearly 30% of teens had ridden with a driver who had consumed alcohol within the previous month. 1 in 10 reported driving after drinking alcohol within the same period.
• Among teen drivers killed in car accidents after drinking and driving, 74% weren't wearing seat belts.
• Half of the teen deaths from car accidents occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight. 54% occurred on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

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Drunk Driving Accidents Near Me

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Accidents With Drunk Drivers

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Drunk Drivers Accidents Today