Personal Injury Accidents
You’d think that stay-at-home orders would reduce the amount of auto accident-related fatalities, but the opposite was true during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
If you were recently involved in an auto accident, then it’s important to determine what caused your crash. If you believe another driver caused or contributed to your auto accident, then there’s a good chance that you can recover financial compensation for your losses. However, California’s statute of limitations allows a personal injury claim to be filed within two years of the accident occurring.
Were you involved in a personal injury accident that occurred during the pandemic? Learn about the top 6 reasons why auto accidents increased over the last couple of years, as well as how to file a claim against the liable party if you were injured in one of these accidents.
1. Increased Stress
Since 2020, it seems that Americans have been hit with crisis after crisis. Over half of Americans (53%) report feeling more stressed out in their everyday lives since the pandemic started. Unfortunately, all that stress can carry over into our driving habits if we let it.
Stress, fear, and anxiety can all distract your focus from the road. Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents. While it might not seem like it, driving while stressed out is extremely dangerous. It impairs your judgment, reaction times, and more. Collisions that involve distracted driving are also more likely to result in personal injuries.
2. More Alcohol-Related Accidents
Another reason why auto accidents have increased since 2020 is because there has been a spike in alcohol-related accidents since the pandemic began. Due to the increase in stress, more Americans have made the decision to drink and drive. These decisions have directly resulted in an uptick in accidents. Avoid this type of situation by always opting not to drink and drive. If you notice a driver that’s driving recklessly, avoid them if possible.
Alcohol-related accidents are very likely to result in personal injuries and even wrongful death situations.
3. Brain Fog
One symptom of Covid-19 is brain fog, which impairs a person’s decision-making, reaction time, and judgment. Symptoms of brain fog also include confusion, forgetfulness, dizziness, and difficulty focusing. All of these important cognitive skills are necessary for driving. While no research has confirmed this hypothesis yet, it makes sense to assume that brain fog has also contributed to an uptick in accidents since the pandemic started.
The best way to avoid this type of accident is to avoid getting behind the wheel if you feel fatigued or disoriented in any way. Doing so could be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence! As you know, personal injuries are very likely after these types of accidents.
4. More Aggressive Driving Reported
Isolation, depression, and loneliness can manifest into aggression, recklessness, and anger. On top of that, many Americans are feeling angry at the situation, the restrictions they’ve been faced with, and feeling locked up at home. This has been found to be especially true since the pandemic began. As a result, more Americans are speeding, not using their seatbelts, tailgating, and even ignoring traffic laws. If you notice an aggressive driver on the road, then it’s best to avoid them if possible. Signal to get over into the next lane and allow the reckless driver to pass.
5. Panic and Fatigue
Panic and fatigue are two feelings that you never want to experience while you’re operating a motor vehicle. Many Americans are also feeling overly fatigued due to the increase in responsibilities since the pandemic started, too. As a result, their driving behaviors are becoming more reckless and less controlled.
6. False Sense of Security
One interesting trend since the pandemic began was a sudden drastic decrease in traffic. Suddenly, it was only essential workers who were on the roadways the most. These drivers got to experience first-hand the freedom of the roadways, and this may have led to an increased false sense of security. As traffic has slowly begun to increase as the nation reopens, more and more accidents are starting to happen, too. Everyone will once again have to re-adjust to a ton of traffic.
How a Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Do you believe one of the reasons above contributed to or caused your auto accident? If someone else’s negligence caused your crash, then you should get in touch with a Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They’ll help you pursue your rightful compensation from the liable party.
Are you wondering where to find a quality lawyer to help represent you? If so, then look no further than Mesa Accident Lawyers. Our skilled personal injury lawyers are ready to help you seek justice after your accident by helping you navigate your claim. Reach out to our Orange County office now to discuss your auto accident in more detail.
