Although Wisconsin has a below average rate of fatal car crashes, Milwaukee has seen some damaging incidents over the past few years. Unfortunately, a number of these crashes have been completely avoidable, had the individuals involved been paying better attention to the road or respecting their surroundings. In this article, we’ll be discussing the most common causes of car accidents in Milwaukee.
Distracted Driving
One of the biggest causes of Milwaukee car accidents is distracted driving. There are a number of reasons why someone might be distracted, such as texting on their cell phone or trying to eat a food item, but these small moments where a driver’s eyes are away from the road can have catastrophic consequences. Reading a text typically takes away your attention for 5 seconds – during this time, at an average speed of 55mph, you’ll travel the length of an entire football field.
Drunk Driving
Unfortunately, there are a number of people who still choose to get behind the wheel of their vehicle while intoxicated, even in the face of numerous campaigns that have discussed the risks associated with drunk driving. Sadly, in 2022, a father was killed by a drunk driver in Milwaukee, highlighting the need for further awareness around the true impact of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Aggressive Drivers
We all know the frustration of sitting in traffic when you’re late for work or an important social event, but aggressive drivers actually pose a big risk to Milwaukee’s roads. You’ll often see them weaving in and out of traffic, running stop lights or tailgating others, which can be a recipe for disaster.
New Drivers
Inexperienced drivers or teens make up a large portion of those on Milwaukee’s roads, and this can be a significant contributing factor to the number of accidents that happen across the city. Generally, this isn’t because young or inexperienced drivers are objectively bad at operating the vehicle, but rather that they lack the necessary experience to avoid accidents as they arise.
Speeding
Finally, one of the least surprising, but still disappointing causes of car accidents in Milwaukee is speeding. Driving too fast or without due diligence can cause some serious damage to others around you, and speeding can also be the difference between a light brush with fate to a serious injury. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you might be unsure about how you can bring the perpetrator to justice, but hiring a Milwaukee car accident lawyer can help you do exactly that. From after-crash support to claim entitlement calculations, the right lawyer can change your life for the better following a difficult accident.
While drivers in Milwaukee do have less accidents on average than those in some other states, there is still a lot of work to be done before the roads in Wisconsin can be considered safe. By avoiding the trap of checking your phone at the wheel, driving aggressively or speeding, you can ensure that you’re playing your part and giving everyone in the city the best chance to get home to their loved ones.
