Car accidents in and around Duluth take place because of many reasons. In many cases, these accidents occur due to an error on the part of a motor vehicle driver. Driver negligence, however, is not the only cause of a Duluth car accident.
Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
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Distracted driving
Motor vehicle operators owe a duty of care to other drivers. More to the point, they must operate their vehicle in a careful, safe, and prudent manner at all times. This duty of care includes refraining from distracted driving. Distracted driving usually involves paying attention to some electronic devices, such as cell phones or tablets, while driving. The driver may be trying to send a text message or email, for example. At other times, young children in the car (who might be engaging in horseplay, for instance) or loud music from the car stereo may distract the driver. According to statistics provided by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving accounted for approximately 2,841 deaths nationwide back in 2018. Therefore, when drivers operate their vehicles with not all of their attention on the road, they significantly increase the likelihood that they will bring about a collision with another vehicle.
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Negligent motor vehicle operation
Just as motor vehicle drivers owe a duty to refrain from distracted driving, they also have a responsibility to follow all Georgia state traffic laws and regulations. Specifically, they must watch their speeds, obey traffic control devices (including traffic lights, stop signs, and yield signs), and make safe lane changes (for example, by giving other drivers advanced warning of a lane change by using a turn signal properly). When drivers disregard traffic laws, they put other drivers in serious danger. In cases where driver negligence led to an accident, the at-fault driver (and indirectly that driver’s insurance company) can be held accountable.
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Negligent repair work
Motor vehicle accidents can occur even when drivers are operating their vehicles safely and carefully. When motor vehicle owners take their vehicles in for maintenance or repair, the repair facility owes the owner a duty to perform the repair work in a safe, careful, and professional manner at all times. When poorly performed repair work leads to a serious motor vehicle accident, the repair facility may be held accountable.
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Defective motor vehicle parts
Just like with repair work, motor vehicle owners and drivers expect that replacement parts for their vehicle will function the way they are supposed to operate while the vehicle is in operation. When motor vehicle parts, such as steering or braking mechanisms, are defective and lead to an accident while the vehicle is in operation, the manufacturer or distributor of the parts may be on the line for negligence.
An experienced Duluth car accident attorney at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident, to determine if negligence likely played a part. If it did, our legal team could help you pursue the monetary compensation you deserve for the injuries that you sustained in the accident.
