CAUSES OF CAR, TRUCK, BUS AND MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens injury lawyer).

There are millions of injuries and thousands of deaths annually due to motor vehicles: car, truck, bus and motorcycle accidents. If you're a careful motorist you can probably figure out the leading "human factor" cause by yourself - driver inattention. According to New York State statistics, this is followed by failure to yield the right of way, and then by following too closely.

Driver distractions take many forms: cell phones, eating while at the wheel, fiddling with the stereo or portable music player, operating a navigation or global positioning system, using a hand-held device or computer, and even reading or putting on make-up while driving. Likewise conversations with passengers in the vehicle can take a driver's mind off the road.

Do you know the day of the week on which most accidents occur? According to 2008 New York State Department of Motor Vehicle Statistics, it is on Friday. And most accidents occur between 3:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.

Cell phone use is probably the worst distraction. However, studies show that even the use of hands free headsets do not lower the risk of having an accident - especially since many drivers take their eyes off the road to dial their phones.

Drinking and driving: Believe it or not, many drivers still get behind the wheel of their car truck or motorcycle after having a few drinks. Statistics show that alcohol is involved in a large percentage of fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents. Even just a few drinks can kill - many vehicle-related deaths involve a low blood-alcohol level, even below the legal limit. And that's not even considering the many people hurt or injured as result of such accidents. If you must drink, have a "designated driver." If you can take the car keys away from a friend who has been drinking, you may save his or her life, as well as the life of others.

Driving too fast: Driving over the speed limit or driving too fast given road conditions (such as in wet weather) is a contributing factor to many accidents. To paraphrase an old song, when it comes to operating a motor vehicle teach your children not to speed, and help prevent accidents and injuries.

Driving tired: Research has discovered that sleepy drivers are four times as likely to be involved in an accident or a near-crash; a much higher rate than experts previously believed.

Inexperienced drivers: In 2006, 3,406 drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 were killed, with young males accounting for 73% of these fatalities. Experts recommend that new drivers operate large cars, which offer better protection in event of a collision. However, researchers have found that teenagers like to faster or modified vehicles, which raises their chances of being injured or killed in an accident. Parental involvement is also important in keeping young drivers safe - research shows that new drivers whose parents teach them strict driving rules are less likely to violate traffic laws or have an accident. Restricting young drivers from operating vehicles after dark - when limited visibility makes driving difficult for the inexperienced - is particularly important. Finally, the dangers highlighted above present particular hazards to the inexperienced motorist: cell phone use; drinking and driving; driving too fast; and, driving tired.

Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle deaths have been increasing every year. Experts believe bigger, faster racing bikes available today - along with inexperienced riders - are part of the reason. Registrations for high-performance "super bikes," some of which can be purchased with high performance engines, are on the rise - as are accident and injury rates. About two dozen "super bike" deaths are anticipated for every 10,000 such motorcycles registered. Deaths of older riders are also on the rise - the death rate for motorcyclists over the age of 40 has increased in the last ten years. Experts believe this has a lot to do with the inexperience of new older riders, coupled with slower reflexes and reaction time. Also, even thought New York State law requires that a (Federal) Department of Transportation-certified helmet be worn, many motorcycle riders are hurt in accident each year while not wearing helmets. Those little plastic "salad bowl" helmets don't count; and don't even think of sticking a fake "D.O.T. approved" sticker on an uncertified helmet.

Seatbelt Use: Buckle up!  I shouldn't have to remind you of this, Dear Reader. More than half the passengers killed in motor vehicles are not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. Put simply, buckling your seatbelt and insisting that your passengers also buckle theirs saves lives.