Car accidents often result in some form of injury. In severe cases, the injury can result in permanent damage, or even death. For many victims of car accidents, the knees are often affected. A collision can result in sudden impact on the knee – either from the dashboard or the steering wheel. This can result in patella fractures, torn ligaments, or damaged cartilage. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery may be required. In which case, the medical bills can be overwhelming. All drivers should be aware of the common causes of car accidents in order to help avoid such an accident. Below are some common causes of car accidents.
Tired Drivers
The impact of tiredness on one’s ability to properly drive is becoming more and more recognized. Some studies suggest that driving tired is equally as dangerous as driving drunk. This hazard becomes increasingly more dangerous when the driver is operating a semi-truck. If you notice a driver falling asleep at the wheel, consider the following actions:
-Drive quickly away
-Make signals to the driver that indicate they should pull over
-Call 911 and report an unsafe driver with a description and location of the vehicle
-Honk your horn several times
Unsafe Road Conditions
Another common accident scenario involving trucks and cars is when there are poor road conditions. Wet or icy road conditions can pose an issue for any vehicle to operate properly on. Poor weather conditions can lead to accidents where the vehicle spins out of control or skids into another vehicle. It is recommended remain at least five seconds behind a vehicle, especially a large truck, when the conditions are precarious.
Passing When a Truck is Turning Right
Many car drivers spot a truck turning right and decide to pass it by moving around them in the left lane. However, this is extremely dangerous and is a common cause for accidents. The reason is because trucks will steer widely to the left in order to safely turn right, which means that your vehicle could easily be swiped when attempting to pass the truck
Changing Lanes Too Quickly
One of the most common causes for accidents with trucks and cars is when a car attempts to switch lanes too quickly. Since large trucks have massive blind spots to their sides and rear, a car that switches lanes too quickly will likely not be seen by the truck. Trucks also require more time to slow down than smaller vehicles, so it’s definitely ill-advised to pull in front of a truck too quickly when the roads are busy.
Accidents Involving Blind Spots
According to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted in 2015, just over 3,850 people died in crashes that involved a large truck. Sixty-nine percent of the fatalities were occupants of smaller cars. One of the most common accident scenarios involving trucks and cars relates to the blind spots found on large trucks. Truck drivers operate their vehicles with three separate blind spots, one in the very front of the truck, one in the back, and one beside the right-hand door of the truck. Not everyone knows this, which is why accidents can occur when a car driver stays in one of these spots for an extended period of time.
Contact a Lawyer
If you have sustained a knee injury as the result of a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses as well as other damages. Speak with a personal injury lawyer regarding the details of the accident. If it was determined that the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, your lawyer may advise you to file a claim. You could be awarded compensation for medical expenses and other damages incurred as a result of the accident.
