Causes of Car Accidents in Omaha

black-car-with-smashed-lights-thumbnail A car accident is never a welcome surprise. With over 32,000 auto accidents on Nebraska roads in 2011, what isn’t a surprise is the variety of factors that can lead to a collision. Auto accidents are usually caused by the negligence of one or more drivers. However, other factors come into play as well. Our personal injury law firm wants to help our Nebraska neighbors, which is why we’ve compiled a list of causes of car accidents to help educate motorists and prevent avoidable collisions.

While you may believe you know all of the common car accident causes, we hope you’ll learn something new – or recall something you forgot in all your years behind the wheel. Our list of causes of car accidents is meant to be educational for drivers of all ages and experience levels. After all, if you have been involved in a car crash, you know how much a split-second decision can affect the outcome on the road. A simple mistake can happen to any motorist.

If you have been involved in a car crash or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision in the Omaha or Lincoln areas, our Omaha car accident lawyers may be able to help. We understand the hardships that one can face in the aftermath of a collision.

Top Causes of Car Accidents

Every driver wants to avoid causing a car accident. While many of the reasons for auto collisions are due to a driver’s negligence, there are other factors that can contribute, such as poor road conditions and mechanical defects. A well-versed auto accident attorney will investigate all possible avenues to discover all of the contributing factors to your crash, so you can recover the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.

Driver Negligence

The law requires every driver to exercise caution when taking to the road and to be careful whenever they encounter someone on the road. This is called the “duty of reasonable care”. When a driver is not careful and does not live up to this duty, they may be liable for driver negligence. Negligence is a contributing factor in causing many car accidents.

Some examples of driver negligence include:

  • Aggressive driving
  • Animal crossings
  • Disobeying traffic signs/signals
  • Distracted drivers
  • Driving the wrong way
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Failure to adjust to poor weather conditions
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way
  • Fatigued drivers
  • Following too closely / tailgating
  • Improper lane changes
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Reckless driving
  • Speeding
  • Street racing

If a driver’s negligence has caused you an auto accident on Nebraska roads, you deserve justice. A Nebraska based attorney can help to reconstruct your accident and establish the negligence of another driver.

Road Conditions

Many other causes of car accidents involve the state of the streets, highways, and roadways where a vehicle was traveling when the collision occurred. In such cases, the municipality responsible for the road’s maintenance may be liable for the injuries caused by your accident.

  • Construction projects
  • Debris
  • Improper road design
  • Improper striping
  • Malfunctioning traffic control signals
  • Poor road lighting/visibility
  • Poor road maintenance
  • Poor visibility of signage / missing signage
  • Poorly placed trees/utility poles
  • Potholes
  • Sharp obstructions
  • Other highway defects

Roads can be poorly designed, and when combined with poor signage or limited visibility, some roads can cause motorists to be prone to car crashes.

Automotive Malfunction

In some cases, a vehicle itself, or parts within, are the cause of a collision. Some causes of car crashes due to auto malfunction include:

  • Defective auto parts
  • Defective vehicle design/manufacturing
  • Recalled auto parts
  • Tire blowouts

Cases involving automotive malfunctions are complex and often involve large auto or part manufacturers. In such cases, it is essential to have a lawyer on your side to establish liability and battle the resources of the negligent corporations.

Contact Our Auto Accident Lawyers

No matter the cause of a car accident, getting justice can be a challenge without proper legal representation. At Inkelaar Law, we use our experience in handling accident cases to investigate every possible contributing cause of an accident to ensure that you will receive full compensation for your injuries. Evaluating all of the facts involved in the cause of a motor vehicle accident requires skill and experience.

Our office will take over the investigation of your case so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We can assist you in finding an appropriate medical specialist to treat you, and we can make arrangements with your medical care providers to wait for payment until your case is resolved through settlement or trial.