There are a lot of different reasons a car accident might happen in Boise. The weather can turn any decent roadway into a dangerous trap for drivers. Animals that have neither the need nor the ability to follow traffic laws sometimes cause accidents just by walking in the wrong place at the wrong time. Worst of all is the human factor. Accidents involving the weather and other environmental factors such as animals actually only make up a small minority of all the accidents that happen. In cities across the country, including Boise, car accident causes usually go straight back to driver fault. And, unfortunately, most accidents are caused by negligent drivers and are completely avoidable.

Lack of Attention

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites distracted driving as being the cause of 10% of all fatalities from car accidents. It is also the cause of 18% of all car accidents that ended in injuries. The Idaho Transportation Department cites similar numbers. Distracted driving in Idaho caused 16% of all accidents. It was also the culprit for 20% of the accidents involving injuries. The only thing that caused more fatalities than distracted driving in Idaho car accidents was drunk driving. From this information, one can infer that distracted driving is only slightly less dangerous than drunk driving and is a serious problem on Idaho roads. When car accidents are caused because someone isn’t paying attention, the victims who suffer injuries and damages could be entitled to compensation.

Types of Distracted Driving

Since distracted driving is one of the top reasons for accidents in the United States, Idaho, and Boise, it might be helpful to define the different reasons a driver might be distracted. Cell phones are certainly at the top of the list as people try to text or call while driving, no matter how many times they hear how dangerous it is. No text or phone call is worth risking the lives of anyone at all, especially not the lives of the responsible people who chose not to focus on their phones instead of the road.

Aside from cell phones, there are also the other passengers in the vehicle. From the backseat driver to the pet on the way to the vet, these are distractions that can lead to accidents. Outside of the vehicle, something as simple as the beautiful scenery in Idaho could distract drivers. In any event, it’s crucial that drivers focus on the road and keep their hands on the wheel at all times. When accidents happen because of distracted driving, the driver who took his or her eyes off the road or hands off the wheel, even for just a couple of seconds, is usually responsible.

Drunk Driving and Car Accidents

Since drunk driving is responsible for 17% of the fatalities from car accidents in Idaho, it is definitely something that needs to be considered as a major cause of accidents in Boise. This is especially true when people drive into town to visit one of the local bars rather than relying on a designated driver or taxi cab to get them to the bar and home. The more that Boise grows, the more of a problem this is going to become. Whether driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, these types of car accidents not only result in severe injuries and damages, but also come with long-term repercussions for the driver. In addition to being held responsible for the damages, drunk drivers also face severe penalties which can include thousands of dollars in fees and fines, loss of driving privileges, and even jail time.

Other Causes of Car Accidents

Drunk driving and distracted driving are not the only Boise car accident causes. There are plenty of other things that can cause accidents. Following too closely, failing to obey traffic laws, and leaving lanes are just a few of the most common causes of accidents. In point of fact, if people obeyed traffic laws and signals, paid attention to the task at hand, and never drove while they were impaired, there would only be a fraction of the accidents that there are today.

If you have been in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact our office online immediately or call (800) 404-9000 for a free consultation so we can help.