There are many different factors that may cause a motor vehicle wreck to happen. However, some of the most common causes of car accidents in Johnstown have to do with a driver’s negligence. Recklessness, such as intoxicated driving, as well as carelessness, such as driving too fast or being distracted are the kinds of misconduct that could put you, as well as any other people on roadways, in danger.
If you were hurt in a collision with another vehicle, reach out to a dedicated car accident attorney today for assistance.
One of the biggest causes of motor vehicle accidents in Johnstown is distracted driving, which comes in various forms.
Most often, when people think of distracted driving, they think of texting and driving. The reality is that almost every person on the road has a phone, and likely a smartphone. It is a common occurrence for a driver to get a notification from his or her phone while driving and commonly decide to check it. Whether it is a call, a text, an email, or a social media ping, a harmless alert can become extremely dangerous—and even fatal—when it causes a person to take his or her eyes off of the road, even if only for a second.
Parents often face increased distractions when operating a vehicle with their children in the backseat. A crying baby may cause a distressed mother to look away and accidentally merge into another driver’s lane, resulting in a collision. Similarly, two rowdy teenage siblings arguing in the backseat might take a frustrated father’s attention away from the road, causing him to run a red light and strike an innocent pedestrian walking in the crosswalk.
While cellphones and children are some of the more common origins of distracted driving accidents, there are various other things that can divert a person’s attention when operating a motor vehicle, such as:
Driving under the influence is a common cause of car crashes in Johnstown and the state of Pennsylvania. A DUI can either be caused by a person drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs, or a mix of both. A person can be charged for a drug related DUI whether they are taking illegal or prescription medications. If a prescription drug inhabits a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle, and he or she drives after taking these substances, there could be criminal consequences.
There are a few treatment centers in the Johnstown area where people are prescribed methadone and then take it in combination with something else like Xanax or a benzodiazepine in order to create a super high. He or she will then leave the center, drive down the road, and cause a wreck. This type of drug use and impaired driving results in numerous roadway collisions throughout the state.
Another frequent cause of Johnstown car wrecks are accidents caused by truckers. There are a lot of trucking accidents in the area due to the large number of heavy commercial trucks on the roadways. The cause of these collisions could be any of the reasons listed above, in addition to a truck driver who is overworked or overtired. In many cases, truck drivers will fall asleep at the wheel because they are working a night shift or working overtime without adequate rest.
Even though there are numerous laws and precautions in place that are meant to keep those who use highways and roadways safe, accidents still happen. Some of the more common causes of car accidents in Johnstown include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, and truck collisions. To learn more about these kinds of wrecks, or to get started on your own personal injury claim, reach out to an experienced lawyer at Marcus & Mack today.
