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These 6 behaviors can lead to at-fault accidents

On Behalf of | Oct 29, 2021 | Personal Injury

When you get behind the wheel, your primary goal is to arrive at your destination safely, even if this goal is subconscious. To this end, you remember to fasten your safety belt and try to remain alert as you drive. No one wants to be involved in a crash that results in significant car repairs and weeks of inconvenience. Certainly, no one wants to be responsible for an accident that causes another person to suffer injuries or worse.

Nevertheless, you already know that much of what you do behind the wheel is habit and reflex. You may not even realize what you are doing or remember how you got to your destination, which is true for many drivers in North Carolina. Sometimes you may need a reminder to help you avoid those habits that could lead to an accident and a lifetime of regret.

Keep your mind on the task of driving

Insurance companies consider a driver to be at fault when some action the driver does or fails to do results in an accident. This is not always a deliberate act like getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. Sometimes an accident is the result of a split-second decision. An insurance company might decide one driver is at fault even if the police do not ticket anyone. However, sometimes it is easy for investigators to determine which driver is at fault as in the following circumstances and others:

  • Tailgating or aggressive driving that leads to a rear-end collision
  • Running a red light or rolling through a stop sign
  • Driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street
  • Driving while talking on a cell phone, texting or engaging in other distracting activities
  • Failing to yield when other drivers have the right-of-way
  • Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol

Even if you believe you are at fault after an accident, you should never admit this when speaking to the police or the insurance company. You never know whether the other driver’s split-second decision or negligent actions may have contributed to the accident. Investigators will examine the evidence and conclude who is at fault. However, if someone else’s negligent actions resulted in your injuries, you have every right to consider seeking compensation through the civil courts.