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Instinctively, most drivers in the state of Oregon know that bad driving causes car accidents. Actions ranging from speeding to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can start a chain of events that end with Portland car accidents.
However, what they may not know is just how much of a role such actions play in these crashes and wrecks. A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) quantified the significance of driving errors, finding that risky driving behaviors cause about 94% of collisions.
In comparison, environmental conditions and faulty equipment only account for about 4% of accidents combined.
Oregon’s crash statistics match the study’s conclusions. The state’s Department of Transportation compiles the annual Oregon Traffic Crash Summary, and its most recent iteration summarizes crashes that occurred in 2022.
According to the report, Portland saw 6,500 traffic accidents, which included the following:
Despite Portland’s typically murkier weather, 73% of these crashes occurred on dry roads. Moreover, 69% of these collisions occurred during daylight.
Ultimately, the following driver actions were the primary contributing factors for Portland auto accidents throughout 2022:
Tailgating was the leading cause of collisions in Portland; it was cited as the cause of one fatal accident and 1,404 non-fatal injury accidents.
Right-of-way violations were another top reason for accidents in Portland. These violations occur when a driver proceeds through an intersection, merges, or drives into a driveway without waiting for their turn.
Red and yellow light accidents typically result from a failure to yield, though a small percentage occur when drivers disobey the light.
Though speeding was not a top cause of car accidents in 2022, it was the second-leading cause of traffic deaths. That year, excessive speed was cited as a factor in 21 fatal accidents (and 114 non-fatal injury crashes) in Portland.
Passing another vehicle requires several steps, and a mistake in any of them can cause a collision. A common passing error occurs when a driver changes lanes using their mirrors as opposed to checking their blind spots. Doing so is especially dangerous when overtaking motorcycles or bicycles.
The state’s Traffic Crash Summary classifies stop sign violations separately from traffic signal violations, primarily because stop signs are typically used on less busy roads with lower speed limits. In any case, running stop signs resulted in fewer crashes and deaths than running red lights.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol was only cited in 214 of Portland’s 6,500 crashes. However, these crashes caused more deaths than any other cause. In 2022, 22 people died in crashes caused by intoxicated drivers.
Driving on the wrong side of the road resulted in only 96 collisions in Portland. However, it had one of the highest injury rates, with five fatal injuries and 55 non-fatal injuries in crashes blamed on wrong-way drivers.
Improper turns cover several violations, including turning too wide, turning to or from the wrong lane, and failing to yield. For example, a common turning violation occurs when a driver turns left into the path of a vehicle going straight.
Lastly, Oregon does not directly classify distracted driving as a contributing factor, though the state has calculated that sick, sleepy, or distracted drivers were responsible for 16.2% of crashes in 2022.
A Portland car crash can happen for many reasons, including inclement weather or poor lighting. However, the most common causes involve poor driving. The negligent acts listed above can lead to serious injuries and financial losses for crash victims, though, at the same time, they also open the door to injury claims.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Portland, Oregon, contact Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers for help. We offer a free consultation.
If you were injured in an accident in Portland, OR, please contact our Portland car accident lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve all throughout Multnomah County in Oregon. Visit our office at:
Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 773-3333
Hours: Open 24/7