Causes of Car Accidents in 2020
McPhillips Fitzgerald Cullum LLP • September 15, 2020

September 15, 2020

Causes of Car Accidents in 2020

Despite reduced traffic volume during the stay-at-home orders in the spring, car accidents were still – and are still – occurring. The causes of motor vehicle accidents remain largely the same this year, with the majority of crashes attributable to human error.

Here are some of the most frequent contributing factors:

Speeding. In 2018, speeding caused the deaths of 9,378 people, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Speeding makes it difficult to control the vehicle and increases the time required to come to a stop.

Distractions. Despite the years of awareness campaigns, distracted driving continues to be a potent cause of crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 2,841 people were killed by distracted driving in 2018. All of those deaths were preventable, as were the distracted driving deaths in all other years. Motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists are all at risk of injury and death caused by a distracted driver.

Intoxication. About 30 people die every day in the U.S. in drunk driving wrecks. Intoxicated driving impairs vision, coordination, judgement, reaction time, concentration, speed control and other important abilities required to drive.

Aggressive driving. Driving in a bad mood is never a good idea. An aggressive driver deliberately drives in a way that shows disregard for safety. Examples include tailgating, speeding, running red lights and stop signs, changing lanes without signaling, blocking cars who are trying to pass and weaving between cars dangerously.

Failure to wear a seatbelt greatly increases the risk of injury and death in the event of a crash. Buckle up every time, no matter how long or far the drive. Passengers and drivers should both be buckled.

What to do if You’ve been in an Accident

An experienced accident attorney pursues maximum compensation on behalf of the injured victim. Compensation may be awarded for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other consequences of the crash.

At McPhillips Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP, our experienced accident attorneys in New York and Florida are ready to help you decide what to do next. To schedule a free consultation to find out if you have a car accident case, please contact us.

< Older Post

 Newer Post >
Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than lawyer discussion with client gavel pen and law scale on the table

Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than Others to Resolve

By shreya kapoor • February 15, 2026
When an accident causes serious harm, many people expect injury claims to resolve quickly. Delays can be frustrating, especially as medical expenses and lost income continue to grow. In reality, the timeline for resolving injury claims varies widely depending on several important factors, and a longer process does not necessarily mean something has gone wrong. Established in 1911, […] The post Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than Others to Resolve appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person wearing a neck brace and arm sling sits at a desk with paperwork and a pen.

What Happens When An Insurance Company Denies Your Injury Claim

By content.team • January 15, 2026
A letter denying an injury claim can be frightening, especially as medical bills mount and missed paychecks add up. For people in Glens Falls and Chestertown, New York, and Miami Shores, Florida, a denied insurance claim after a product-related accident often raises urgent questions about what to do next.  McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP has represented clients in the […] The post What Happens When An Insurance Company Denies Your Injury Claim appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person holding their head in pain after stepping out of a blue car with a deployed airbag and smoke in the background.

Third-Party Liability: When Someone Other Than The Driver Is To Blame

By content.team • December 15, 2025
After a motor vehicle accident, many people assume that only the drivers involved can be held responsible. In reality, a careless company, property owner, or government entity may also contribute to the crash. McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP, established in 1911, is the longest-serving law firm in the Greater Glens Falls region and holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest AV rating for […] The post Third-Party Liability: When Someone Other Than The Driver Is To Blame appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
Show More →