What are Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Common Causes of Car Crashes

Most causes of car crashes stem from preventable behaviors and hazardous conditions that drivers either create or fail to address appropriately. We understand these common causes of car accidents and can assist you in making informed decisions about how to proceed with a collision claim when negligence was involved. We help establish liability when seeking compensation after a crash. 

Most car accidents in Philadelphia are caused by the following:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving involves anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the roadway, hands off the steering wheel, or mind off the task of driving. Common distractions include:

• Texting or using a cell phone: Sending messages, browsing social media, or checking emails diverts visual, manual, and cognitive attention away from driving.
• Using other electronic devices: There’s no shortage of electronic devices that could distract drivers, from infotainment systems to GPS units. Modern technology has made distracted driving accidents one of the leading threats on our roads.
• Eating or drinking: Handling food and beverages requires taking at least one hand off the wheel and often shifts focus away from traffic.
• Adjusting vehicle controls: Fiddling with the radio, GPS, climate controls, or mirrors takes the driver’s eyes off the road at critical moments.
• Talking to passengers: Engaging in intense conversations or turning to look at passengers reduces reaction time and awareness.
• Personal grooming: Applying makeup, shaving, or fixing hair while driving can lead to dangerous lapses in attention.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's distracted driving data, nine people in the United States are killed every day in fatal car accidents that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Even a momentary glance away from the road can result in catastrophic consequences when traveling at highway speeds.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Many fatal car accidents occur in Pennsylvania due to speeding. Speeding accidents can occur when a driver exceeds the posted speed limit or drives too fast for conditions. Speeding drastically reduces drivers’ ability to react to hazards in time to avoid a collision. Higher speeds increase the likelihood that a driver will lose control of their vehicle and increase stopping distances. Additionally, speeding can magnify the force of impact during a collision. 

Aggressive driving behaviors—including tailgating, weaving between lanes, running red lights, and making unsafe lane changes—compound these dangers. Risky driving is a significant factor in fatal crashes and serious personal injuries nationwide. When drivers prioritize speed and convenience over safety, innocent motorists pay the price through devastating injuries and property damage.

Driving Under the Influence

Drunk driving accidents remain a common cause of car accidents despite decades of public awareness campaigns and strict enforcement. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, slow driver reaction times, and reduce motor skills. Pennsylvania Statute Title 75 Pa.C.S.A. Vehicles § 3802 establishes blood alcohol concentration limits and penalties for impaired driving. Substances that impair drivers include:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Prescription drugs
• Illegal drugs

Impaired drivers create unpredictable hazards on the road. They frequently swerve between lanes, misjudge distances, and fail to respond appropriately to traffic signals. When motorists driving under the influence cause crashes, our personal injury law firm holds them accountable for the harm they inflict on innocent victims.

Fatigued Driving

Driver fatigue can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Exhaustion delays reaction times, clouds judgment, and can even lead to drivers falling asleep behind the wheel. While commercial truck drivers often feel pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines, any driver who operates a vehicle without proper rest puts everyone on the road at risk for serious or fatal accidents.

Long shifts, sleep disorders, medications that cause drowsiness, and simply staying awake too long all contribute to fatigue-related auto accidents. Drowsy driving often results in high-speed collisions because the driver does not attempt to brake or steer away from danger before impact.

Poor Weather and Road Conditions

Pennsylvania’s varied weather creates challenging road conditions year-round. Responsible drivers adapt to these changes, but many motorists fail to reduce speed or leave adequate following distance when weather conditions worsen. Common environmental hazards include:

• Rain and wet pavement
• Snow and ice accumulation
• Fog and reduced visibility
• Potholes and uneven surfaces
• Debris on the roadway
• Construction zones

Weather alone doesn’t cause crashes—drivers’ failure to adjust to hazardous conditions does. Motorists who continue driving at normal speeds on icy roads or tailgate during inclement weather create circumstances where collisions are far more likely.

Mechanical Failures and Vehicle Maintenance Issues

While driver error is a leading cause of most car accidents, mechanical issues can lead to other car crashes. Vehicle owners are responsible for keeping their automobiles in a safe operating condition. Regular inspections and prompt repairs prevent many potential hazards, while neglecting routine maintenance or ignoring warning signs of mechanical problems can lead to catastrophic consequences. 

Common causes of car accidents relating to mechanical failures and maintenance issues include:

• Tire blowouts caused by worn or bald tires
• Brake system failures
• Steering mechanism defects
• Faulty lighting systems
• Windshield wiper failures
• Defective airbags or safety equipment

Sometimes manufacturers bear responsibility when design flaws or manufacturing defects cause components to fail. In other cases, owners who skip oil changes, ignore warning lights, or drive on damaged tires create the conditions for mechanical failures that harm others.

Teen and Inexperienced Drivers

Young drivers are involved in more crashes than any other age group. Without years of practice, they often lack the instincts and judgment needed to recognize hazards and respond safely. Teen drivers are also more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, and driving with multiple passengers.

Pennsylvania’s graduated driver licensing system helps reduce these risks by placing limits on new drivers, yet accidents involving teenage drivers remain frequent. However, inexperience isn’t limited to teenagers—adults who learned to drive later in life or who rarely drive also face skill and confidence gaps that can contribute to collisions.