No matter how safe a driver you may be, you can't always avoid the negligent actions of other motorists. Most car accidents are caused by human error.
Human error can include a brief moment of carelessness or outright reckless behaviour. Most drivers may be aware that careless or reckless behaviour is risky, yet few of them ever believe that they will cause someone else's injury or death.
Below, we discuss the four leading forms of human error that significantly heighten the risk of a crash. Should you be injured in a crash caused by human error, an experienced Toronto car accident lawyer can help make things right.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving involves any task that takes a driver's hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or attention away from driving. We often hear about the dangers of using cellphones behind the wheel.
In Toronto, it's illegal to use a cellphone while driving. Drivers are only allowed to call 911 during emergency situations or use voice-activated features. The law doesn't necessarily prohibit other forms of distracted driving, however.
Other forms of distracted driving include multitasking, taking care of personal hygiene, eating and drinking, looking elsewhere beside the road ahead, or tuning a radio. In Ontario, distracted driving causes an injury every half hour.
Speeding and aggressive driving
Drivers can get impatient or stressed out when they are in a hurry to get from point A to point B. This can result in speeding, weaving through traffic, tailgating, running red lights, failing to comply with traffic laws and engaging in road rage.
In 2018, speed-related crashes resulted in 102 fatalities throughout Ontario, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Transportation.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Alcohol, recreational drugs and certain prescription drugs can cause:
- Reduced coordination
- Impaired visual functioning
- Delayed reaction time
- Impaired judgment
- Memory loss
Driving while drowsy
We can't always control when we fall asleep. Some drivers will doze off behind the wheel, no matter how hard they try to stay awake.
Those who are the most at risk of drowsy driving include:
- People who receive less than 7-9 hours of sleep per night
- Night shift or rotating shift workers
- Commercial truck drivers
- Business travelers
- People with untreated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or insomnia
Drowsy drivers don't always fall asleep, however. They may also experience memory loss, delayed reaction, difficulty staying within the lines on the road, difficulty staying focused and irritability.
What are my legal rights if I'm injured by a negligent driver?
If you or a loved one are hurt in a crash caused by the negligence of another driver, don't hesitate to get legal help.
Smitiuch Injury Law serves injured motorists throughout the Toronto area. We will fight to hold negligent and reckless drivers accountable and work tirelessly to help you get the compensation you're entitled to.
To schedule your free consultation, contact us online or call us at (416) 621-1551.
