Did A Lack Of Communication Cause A Recent Wreck?

Sharing the road with total strangers comes with a degree of risk. People never know what habits other drivers have. They may worry about crossing paths with people who are drunk or texting while driving. They also have to try to predict the maneuvers of the other people they encounter on the road.

Certain types of communication are voluntary. People make eye contact across the intersections and gesticulate toward one another. They can yield the right of way even when they could potentially proceed through the intersection if they so choose.

Other types of communication are technically mandatory under state law. Drivers need to ensure that they properly communicate their intentions via vehicle lights to limit the possibility of a major crash occurring. There are two main behaviors that could potentially cause collisions due to a lack of communication between drivers.

Failing to use turn signals

Motorists have a variety of reasons for not using their turn signals. Some people make last-minute decisions about their routes and don’t have time to indicate the intent to turn well in advance.

Others develop a sense of complacency because they travel the same roads every day. While occasional mistakes do occur, the consistent use of turn signals is critical for safety in traffic. Other drivers cannot respond appropriately if they do not understand that the driver of a nearby vehicle intends to turn or merge.

Overlooking maintenance issues

The proper use of turn signals cannot protect people from crashes if the vehicle has burned-out lights. Drivers should check their vehicles regularly to ensure that all of the signal lights function properly.

While it is easy to recognize when a headlight bulb burns out, people could drive around for weeks with a non-working turn signal or brake light without realizing it. People who cannot tell that a driver has applied the brakes or attempted to illuminate a turn signal may not respond appropriately in traffic.

Regardless of why there were communication issues, the driver who failed to indicate their intentions could theoretically be the party at fault for a collision. Reviewing the circumstances surrounding a motor vehicle collision can help drivers determine who was at fault. Drivers who cause crashes through a lack of communication may need to provide compensation for the harm they caused.