A driver looks at a mobile phone while driving, with one hand on the steering wheel. Outside the car window, a pedestrian walks on the street. The setting appears to be a suburban neighborhood with greenery in the background, highlighting driving habits that can cause car accidents.

It’s no surprise that driving is dangerous. More than 2 million people a year are injured or disabled in auto accidents in the United States alone. However, many of these accidents could be prevented with better care. There are a few bad habits people have that might increase their likelihood of getting into accidents.

For example, one of the biggest causes of accidents and near accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or minds off driving. Eating, drinking, playing with the radio, and texting while driving are all activities that cause distracted driving. Using a cell phone is a bad habit that can lead to many accidents, which is why many people should start practicing the excellent habit of leaving their phone in the back seat until they reach their destination.

Many people also seem to have adopted the habit of driving while tired. Those who do sometimes end up crashing because they have operated a vehicle after feeling lethargic and sleepy. According to statistics, more than 83,000 crashes occur because of drowsy driving. Driving while tired has similar effects to driving while under the influence of alcohol. People have decreased reaction time and impaired decision-making.

Last, another bad habit people need to break is failing to follow simple rules of the road. There’s nothing easier than, for example, buckling a seatbelt before you leave. However, people still drive without a seatbelt and wind up with severe injuries after getting into a collision. Likewise, signaling is an extremely easy way to prevent accidents. By failing to signal, you’re preventing other drivers from being aware of your next move, which could cause collisions.

If you’ve been injured by a negligent or careless driver, make sure to talk to one of our skilled York personal injury attorneys about your case. Ilkhanoff & Silverstein is dedicated to helping the victims of negligence seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Let us see what we can do for you.

Contact us about your case by calling us at (717) 744-0531 or filling out our online form to schedule a consultation today.