Meyers Personal Injury Law | June 24, 2025 | Car Accidents
Car accidents happen often and usually result from preventable behavior. You can reduce your risk by staying alert and avoiding the habits that cause the most wrecks. These causes remain common across many states and road types, including highways, suburban intersections, and rural lanes.
Here are some of the most common causes of car accidents in Tennessee, as well as throughout the United States.
1. Distracted Driving
Distractions pull your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel. Texting, talking on the phone, eating, or changing the music all count as distractions. Even quick glances away from the road create dangerous gaps in awareness.
Many crashes happen in those seconds. Stay focused and keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
2. Speeding
Exceeding the speed limit increases the chance of crashing and worsens injuries. Higher speeds require more time and distance to stop. Speeding also limits your control when weather or traffic conditions change. Driving too fast during rain or snow makes wrecks more likely.
3. Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs impair vision, decision-making, and coordination. Even small amounts affect reaction time. Driving under the influence puts everyone on the road in danger.
Legal consequences for impaired driving can be extensive; the physical consequences can be far worse. Plan ahead. If you drink, use a taxi or rideshare. Never risk your safety or someone else’s life by driving while impaired.
4. Reckless Driving
Reckless drivers tailgate, weave through traffic, or ignore signals. These behaviors increase crash risk for everyone nearby. Aggression behind the wheel creates chaos and invites collisions.
You protect yourself by staying calm. Let reckless drivers pass. Do not respond with anger or risky moves. If you witness dangerous behavior, report it. Avoid escalation and create space between yourself and aggressive drivers.
5. Failure To Yield
Failing to yield causes serious crashes, especially at intersections and crosswalks. Many drivers enter intersections without waiting their turn. Some ignore signs or speed through roundabouts.
6. Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
Running a red light or rolling through a stop sign often leads to violent collisions. Side-impact crashes at intersections cause serious injuries. Always stop fully and look both ways before proceeding.
Traffic signals exist to protect you and others. Ignoring them risks lives and opens the door to legal penalties. Full stops and awareness at intersections save lives. In the event you’re in an accident and injured, the driver breaking the law or running the light could be held accountable.
7. Tailgating
Following too closely leaves no time to react if the car ahead brakes. Rear-end collisions often stem from tailgating. Maintain a safe gap and use the three-second rule to judge distance. Increase that space in rain or snow.
Tailgating also creates tension. Other drivers may brake suddenly to scare you. Avoid conflict. Keep your distance and reduce pressure on others. That space may prevent a crash.
8. Driver Fatigue
Tired drivers struggle to stay alert. They drift between lanes, miss signals, and react too slowly. Fatigue affects judgment like alcohol does.
9. Poor Weather Conditions
Rain, fog, snow, and ice reduce traction and limit visibility. Many drivers fail to adjust their behavior in bad weather. Sudden stops and sharp turns become more dangerous when roads turn slick.
Slow down in bad weather. Leave extra space. Use headlights during rain or fog. Avoid sudden moves. If visibility drops or conditions worsen, consider delaying your trip.
10. Vehicle Defects
Some crashes happen due to faulty brakes, worn tires, or bad lights. Your vehicle must function properly. Worn equipment increases stopping time or reduces control. Even working lights matter, and they help others see you.
Check your car often. Replace tires, brakes, or lights as soon as they show signs of wear. Listen for noises or changes in handling. A small repair now prevents a dangerous breakdown later.
11. Unsafe Lane Changes
Unsafe lane changes cause side-swipes and multi-car crashes. Failing to signal, checking blind spots, or gauging traffic before moving puts everyone at risk. In busy traffic, tension increases, and small mistakes have large consequences.
Always use turn signals. Wait for clear space. Adjust your mirrors and check blind spots every time. If traffic is tight, stay in your lane until conditions improve. Safety matters more than speed.
12. Wrong-Way Driving
Wrong-way driving leads to deadly head-on collisions. Confusion, missed signs, or impaired thinking often cause drivers to enter ramps or one-way streets in the wrong direction.
If you see wrong-way signs, stop and turn around safely. Pay close attention when entering highways. If you encounter a wrong-way driver, pull over and call law enforcement. Stay far away from their path.
Contact Our Nashville Personal Injury Law Firm Today at Meyers Personal Injury Law
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, speak with a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation. You may face medical bills, lost wages, or long-term health effects. Your lawyer can help you hold negligent drivers accountable.
If you were injured in an accident in Nashville or Brentwood and need legal help, contact our Nashville personal injury lawyers at Meyers Personal Injury Law to schedule a free case review today.
Meyers Personal Injury Law Nashville
1308 Rosa L Parks Blvd Suite 101,
Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 258-9000
Meyers Personal Injury Law Brentwood
105 Continental Pl Suite 100,
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 258-9000
