Roadway Danger: 25 Most Common Causes For Car Crashes

Tony Mers • April 16, 2018

There are roughly 6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year. Though many of these crashes are by accident and virtually unavoidable, the majority of them could have been prevented with better driving, heightened awareness, and simply slowing down.

These crashes range in severity, but rear end are collisions are certainly some of the most common. In fact, on average, there is a rear end collision on U.S. roads every eight seconds.

If you've been involved in a crash, it's best to visit a professional auto body shop right away and seek out quality collision repair services so you can get your vehicle back to it's fully functioning form. Driving a faulty vehicle is just as, if not more, dangerous than almost all of the causes for these crashes. Similarly, in addition to knowing when to seek out professional collision repair services, it's best to know exactly what causes these frequent roadway accidents.

Here are some of the most common causes of automobile accidents on the U.S. roadways:

Distracted Driving

Drunk Driving

Speeding

Rainy, snowy, or Icy Conditions

Reckless Driving

Running Red Lights

Running Stop Signs

Nighttime Driving

Inexperienced/Teenage Drivers

Automotive Design Defects

Improper Lane Changes and Turns

Driving the Wrong Way

Road Rage

Drowsy Driving

Tailgating

Potholes

Blown Tires

Animal Crossings

Construction Sites

Loose Objects Inside Vehicles

Strong Winds

Intense Curves

Street Racing

Fog

Bright Lights

Of all those causes, the three most common resulting in car accidents across the U.S. are distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding. Many of these actions listed are completely avoidable and it takes a responsible driver to understand when you should or should not operate a vehicle.

It's time for everyone to start driving safely on the roads and limiting these driving mistakes. No matter where you are in the country, no matter what time of day it is, and no matter where you are going, it's essential that you always drive as safe as possible. Beware of other drivers because they're usually the ones you have to worry about. If you've been involved in any of these types of auto crashes and are in need of professional collision repair services, give River North Collision Repair a call right away.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.