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Does Overcorrecting Driving Cause Car Accidents in Kentucky?

Does Overcorrecting Driving Cause Car Accidents in Kentucky?

Overcorrecting driving is an issue in all states, including Kentucky. Almost all drivers have overcorrected at some point in their life as it is a somewhat natural reaction to various situations, such as poor road conditions, animals or children running into the road, and road debris. People also overcorrect driving when another driver negligently enters their lane or if they themselves weren’t paying attention and need to swerve last minute to avoid hitting something. 

No matter the situation, overcorrecting is a common occurrence that can cause severe accidents. Unfortunately, determining fault in an overcorrecting car accident can be challenging. Most drivers overcorrect their driving to avoid causing an accident, but sometimes the act of overcorrecting actually makes things worse. In these situations, it will be necessary to provide a sufficient amount of evidence to show what happened and ensure you are not the one to blame even though you overcorrected. 

If you are involved in an overcorrecting driving accident, our experienced Kentucky car accident lawyers can help. At McCoy & Sparks, we have seen countless accident cases that arise as the result of overcorrecting. We understand how challenging it can be to prove the fault of another party in these situations and are dedicated to helping our clients win their cases and get the compensation they deserve. 

What Is Overcorrecting Driving?

If you are unfamiliar with the term overcorrecting and want to know the overcorrecting driving meaning, the answer is quite simple. Overcorrecting is what happens when you oversteer your wheel or turn your wheel too far, and it is generally an action that a driver takes when they are attempting to avoid hitting something or when their car starts sliding or drifting due to slippery roads. Swerving, for example, is often an act of overcorrecting.  

As mentioned above, there are various reasons that a driver might overcorrect. This can include:

  • Poor road conditions from snow, rain, ice, or potholes
  • Pedestrians, such as children, running or walking into the road 
  • Pets or local wildlife running into the road
  • Road debris
  • Swerving to avoid hitting an object or a building
  • Swerving to avoid hitting another car

In some cases, drivers can also overcorrect due to distraction. For example, if they are distracted or unfocused and suddenly realize they have drifted into the wrong lane, they might suddenly turn the wheel to get back in alignment, but this sudden act can result in overcorrecting which can then cause an accident. 

Factors that Contribute Overcorrecting 

Anyone can overcorrect their car as a result of the various reasons listed above. However, some individuals are more at risk of overcorrecting than others. People who are skilled drivers and can stay calm and remain focused are less likely to overcorrect when they turn their wheel in reaction to the above situations. Whereas others who are more negligent or are not as calm and focused will be more prone to overcorrection. 

Factors that can contribute to increased risk of overcorrecting driving include:

  • Fatigued driving
  • Drowsy driving from illness or medication side-effects
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Driving at high speeds
  • Reckless driving
  • Distracted driving

Fault and Overcorrection

As there are any number of scenarios that can lead to an overcorrection, there is no way to say upfront whether a person would be held responsible for overcorrecting. However, there are some situations where you are more likely to be considered at fault or at least carry some of the blame. Kentucky is a comparative fault state, so it is possible for you to share liability with another driver. 

If you overcorrect because of another driver’s negligent actions, for example, you might not be considered at fault. However, if your overcorrection in this situation causes the accident to become worse, you could share liability. This means that you are still eligible to file a personal injury claim, but the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. 

You could also be entirely at fault if you overcorrect and cause an accident due to a child or animal running into the road, or to avoid hitting road debris. These kinds of cases can still be tricky, as you did likely overcorrect to avoid hitting a kid or an animal, for example, but insurance companies or the court could try to say that you could have still moved out of the way in a more calm and safe manner or that you might not have needed to overcorrect if you were paying closer attention or were driving more cautiously. 

These are just generalized examples, but it can help you get an idea of how fault might be determined in an overcorrecting driving case.  

Tips to Prevent Overcorrecting Car Accidents in Kentucky

In many situations, overcorrecting is a knee-jerk reaction that is hard to stop ourselves from doing. Still, overcorrecting can make matters worse, so it is important to practice calm and safe driving and use the following tips to prevent overcoreccting accidents:

  • Stay alert and always be on the lookout for things that might cause you to swerve and overcorrect, such as children, animals, pedestrians, and other negligent drivers. 
  • Avoid distractions. In-car distractions can also cause you to lose focus and then need to overcorrect last-minute to avoid hitting something. 
  • Keep your hands at the 10 and 2 positions on the steering wheel to prevent you from making sharp overcorrecting maneuvers.
  • Practice calm driving and try not to overreact to sudden changes. Sudden panicked maneuvers often result in overcorrecting. Instead, decelerate and slowly move out of the way, while checking that your movement will not cause you to hit something else or cut off another driver. 
  • If you have drifted into the wrong lane, do not quickly swerve back into the right lane without checking for other cars behind or near you. 

Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky

While overcorrecting driving accidents are common, they are preventable. It’s important to remain as alert and calm as possible when you are behind the wheel. Still, we understand that sometimes overcorrecting accidents still happen, even if you are a good driver. 

Our dedicated team of attorneys will review your case and do everything we can to help you prove that another party was at fault to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries and other potential damages. 

Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms, McCoy & Sparks has represented thousands of clients with a focus on delivering superior results for over a decade. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. 

Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.