Common Causes of Car Accidents in Raleigh

Driver using mobile phone while driving

If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident in the Raleigh Triangle area, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other related expenses. Determining what caused your crash and who was at fault is the critical first step. The experienced attorneys at Hardison & Cochran have more than 30 years of experience representing accident victims in North Carolina.

How a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Our attorneys will review the circumstances of your accident, answer your questions about whether you have a valid claim, and represent you on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. We handle:

  • Gathering medical bills and calculating all accident-related expenses, including lost work income
  • Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident
  • Identifying all available insurance policies
  • Submitting demand letters
  • Negotiating settlements
  • Filing a lawsuit if necessary

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Raleigh?

Speeding

Speed contributes to nearly a third of all crashes in North Carolina and one out of five traffic deaths, according to N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles statistics. Speed-related accidents injure thousands of people across North Carolina each year, according to NCDOT data. If a speeding driver caused your accident, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit. If a loved one was killed, the family may file a wrongful death claim.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off driving. Common distractions include eating or drinking, talking or texting on a phone, adjusting a navigation system or radio, grooming, and daydreaming. Nearly 18 percent of crashes in North Carolina involve a distracted driver, according to 2023 NCDOT data. That figure likely undercounts the real number, since drivers rarely admit they were not paying attention after a crash.

Failure to Yield

Failure to yield crashes happen when a driver disregards traffic signals, proceeds through an intersection improperly, or makes a lane change when another driver has the right of way.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving includes speeding, illegal passing, abrupt lane changes, tailgating, and running red lights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines it as “committing a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” North Carolina law specifically addresses dangerous driving behavior.

Drunk Driving

Drivers are legally intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher, and .04 percent for commercial drivers. In North Carolina, alcohol was a factor in 8,480 crashes in 2023, according to NCDOT crash data. Those crashes resulted in more than 8,100 injuries and 377 deaths.

Drowsy Driving

Fatigued drivers have trouble concentrating and slower reaction times. Drowsy driving crashes typically involve a driver nodding off at the wheel, drifting off the road, or crossing the center line into oncoming traffic.

Inexperience

Young drivers often lack the experience to recognize and respond to dangerous situations. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers. North Carolina addresses this with a graduated driver’s license program for 16- and 17-year-old drivers, which places restrictions on when and with whom new drivers can operate a vehicle.

Weather

Adverse conditions like rain, snow, and ice reduce visibility and make it harder to control a vehicle. Freezing temperatures can cause rain to turn to snow or ice, with bridges and overpasses freezing before regular road surfaces. Drivers who proceed carelessly in dangerous weather conditions can be held liable for accidents they cause.

Vehicle Defects

Defective equipment is a contributing factor in thousands of vehicle accidents in North Carolina each year, including fatal crashes and collisions causing serious injuries. Vehicle recalls often happen only after people have already been hurt or killed. Manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure that the products they sell are safe and to warn adequately of any known defects. Product liability cases require a thorough investigation to identify all parties at fault.

Examples of Common Safety-Related Vehicle Design and Manufacturing Defects Include

  • Steering components breaking suddenly
  • Accelerator controls breaking or sticking
  • Wiring system problems
  • Seat backs failing abruptly
  • Defective child safety seats
  • Tire tread separation
  • Wheels cracking or breaking
  • Airbags deploying improperly or exploding
  • Fuel system component problems
  • Windshield wiper assembly failures
  • Car ramps or jacks that may collapse

Call a Raleigh Car Crash Attorney For A Free Consultation

If you or a family member was injured or killed in a car accident, the attorneys at Hardison & Cochran have the experience and resources to protect your rights. Contact us today at (919) 444-4444. We respond within 24 hours, and the initial consultation is free. We serve clients in Raleigh, Cary, Wake County, Durham, the Triangle, and throughout North Carolina.