Have you ever experienced traffic congestion while on the road? It can be highly frustrating as it causes delays in your travel plans. Rush hour is typically when most people commute to and from work, which leads to increased traffic. Unfortunately, due to various factors, heavy traffic increases the likelihood of a car accident. This is primarily because drivers become more aggressive as they become impatient and are distracted easily. As such, drivers must remain vigilant and focused while driving, especially during rush hour, to prevent serious accidents. If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact a seasoned Prince George’s County Auto Accident Lawyer who can help you fight to attain the total and fair compensation you deserve for your damages. 

What are the most common accidents that occur due to traffic congestion?

Unfortunately, even if you take the necessary precautions to prevent a collision when there is traffic congestion, other drivers’ negligence can lead to severe accidents. The following include but are not limited to some of the most common accidents that occur due to traffic congestion:

  • Distracted driving accidents. While stuck in traffic jams, drivers engage in dangerous driving behaviors. Unfortunately, many drivers pull out their phones to text, turn around to converse with passengers in the backseat, or even grab snacks while behind the wheel during heavy traffic. However, these actions divert attention away from the road. When a driver’s attention is not on the task, it increases the risk of a collision. With the stop-and-go patent of a traffic jam, it can lead to rear-end accidents due to inattention. Therefore, drivers must stay alert and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle before them to allow extra time to react to potential roadway hazards.
  • U-turn accidents. Often, drivers’ frustration levels run high while awaiting traffic delays. When frustration levels rise, and drivers become impatient, they make risky decisions. They usually try to find an alternative route to reach their destination faster by attempting a U-turn. However, if a driver fails to carefully assess the road before making such a move, they risk being struck by oncoming traffic.
  • Road rage accident. As mentioned above, many drivers become aggressive as their patience runs out while sitting in heavy traffic. When this occurs, they are more likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviors such as tailgating, running red lights, weaving in and out of traffic, blocking cars from passing or switching lanes, speeding, and changing lanes without signaling. If you encounter an aggressive driver, do not engage or get in their way, as it can put your life on the line.
  • Sideswipe accidents. Typically, when drivers are stuck in traffic jams, they try to change lanes frequently to get into the “faster” moving lane. However, when drivers make split-second decisions to switch lanes without signaling, they could hit a car they did not detect in their blind spot. This can result in a sideswipe accident where two vehicles driving next to each other in the same direction collide.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, it is in your best interest to contact a determined lawyer from Timian & Fawcett, LLC, who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.