Every year, thousands of drivers in New Brunswick and across Canada are involved in car accidents. While the circumstances of each crash are unique, most traffic collisions can be traced back to a relatively small number of recurring causes. Understanding these causes can help drivers reduce their own risk on the road and can also be an important context if you are later trying to establish fault following a collision. Below, we outline the most common causes of vehicle collisions and explain when it may be appropriate to consult a lawyer about your claim.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, contact a medical provider immediately.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents on New Brunswick roads and throughout the country. Texting, adjusting a GPS, eating, or speaking with passengers can each draw a driver’s attention away from the road, even if only for a moment. Studies examining a driver’s eye muscle function during distraction have shown how quickly and significantly focus can shift away from hazards ahead. Because distracted driving reduces a driver’s reaction time so substantially, it remains a significant contributing factor in many motor vehicle accidents, particularly rear-end collisions and lane departures.
Speeding
Driving above the posted speed limit reduces the time a driver has available to react to sudden changes in traffic, weather, or road conditions. It also increases the force of impact in a collision, which means that crashes caused by speeding are more likely to result in severe injuries. Even travelling a few kilometres above the speed limit in poor conditions or heavy traffic can be enough to turn a minor incident into a serious one. Speed-related collisions remain among the most preventable categories of motor vehicle crashes, and obeying the posted speed limit is one of the most effective ways a driver can reduce their risk.
Driving Under The Influence (DUI)
Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making impaired driving one of the most dangerous causes of traffic collisions. A drunk driver is far more likely to misjudge distances, drift out of their lane, or fail to stop in time to avoid a collision. Crashes involving an impaired driver often result in some of the most catastrophic outcomes on our roads, including traumatic brain injuries and other serious, life-altering harm to other drivers and passengers.
Reckless And Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving behaviours, such as tailgating, weaving through traffic, and failing to yield the right of way, place everyone on the road at risk. In some cases, aggressive driving escalates into road rage, where frustration behind the wheel leads to dangerous or confrontational conduct. Whether it stems from road rage or simple impatience, aggressive driving is a significant contributor to serious injuries in crashes throughout the province.
Poor Weather Conditions
New Brunswick winters bring snow, ice, and freezing rain, all of which make roads considerably more hazardous. Reduced visibility, longer stopping distances, and slippery road surfaces are common causes of car crashes during poor weather. While weather conditions themselves are not within a driver’s control, failing to adjust speed and following distance for those conditions is a form of driver error that can turn an otherwise routine drive into a serious motor vehicle collision.
Running Red Lights And Stop Signs
Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign is a common cause of intersection collisions, which are often among the most severe types of crashes given the angle of impact involved. These violations frequently result in T-bone collisions, a type of crash strongly associated with severe injuries, and in the most tragic cases, traffic fatalities. Drivers who run red lights or stop signs place other drivers at serious risk, often with little to no warning.
Drowsy Driving
Fatigue affects a driver’s alertness, judgment, and reaction time in ways that can be just as dangerous as impaired driving. Drowsy driving is a frequently overlooked cause of vehicle crashes, but can easily happen on long highway drives or during early morning and late-night commutes. A driver who briefly loses focus or falls asleep due to exhaustion may be unable to react at all before a collision occurs.
When Should You Consult A Lawyer?
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to understand when contacting a personal injury lawyer may be beneficial to your recovery, both physically and financially. You should consider consulting a car accident lawyer if any of the following apply to your situation:
- You or a loved one has suffered serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries
- The accident has resulted in ongoing pain, disability, or a diagnosis such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- Liability is disputed, or another driver is alleging that you are at fault for a crash you did not cause
- The insurance company has offered a settlement that does not adequately reflect your medical expenses, lost income, or long-term care needs
- You are uncertain how to gather and preserve the evidence needed to support your claim, including statements from a medical professional or other experts
Motor vehicle accidents can leave you managing mounting expenses and an uncertain recovery, all while trying to navigate a complex insurance claims process. An experienced car accident attorney can help protect your rights, communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under personal injury law.
At Melanson Law, our lawyers exclusively practice personal injury law and only ever represent the side of the injured party. We have helped many clients throughout Fredericton and New Brunswick recover the compensation they deserve following motor vehicle collisions. If you have been injured in a crash, we encourage you to contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your claim.
Learn more here about New Brunswick traffic laws.
