In the U.S. alone, there are around six million car accidents, on average, every single year.
So, it’s imperative that you know how to stay safe when driving.
Here are some of the most common causes of car accidents, accompanied by information on how to prevent them.
What to Do After a Car Accident
By knowing how to prevent common car accidents, you can take the right steps to avoid being involved in an accident in the first place.
But even if you’re the most cautious and diligent driver on the road, accidents can still happen.
If you find yourself involved in an auto accident, you need to swap details with the other driver, take photos of the accident scene so that you have a record, and get medical attention.
If emergency services aren’t called out, and even if you don’t think you have any major injuries, make sure you see a doctor immediately. You could have internal injuries or injuries that don’t show up straight away.
The next step is to call your insurance company.
Though, if the accident wasn’t your fault, you should also contact a skillful and experienced personal injury law firm to help you understand your options and navigate legalities to help you claim the maximum compensation you deserve.
For instance, at The Fran Haasch Law Group, the car accident lawyers have years of experience helping people to get the money they need to cover medical bills and other expenses associated with their car accidents.
Rear-end Collisions
The rear-end collision is one of the most common car accidents.
You could get hit by a vehicle behind you or you could hit the vehicle in front of you.
Even though rear-end collisions are very common, such auto accidents are easy to prevent, as long as you remember how to avoid them.
First and foremost, you should keep your distance from the car in front. Leave enough room so you could come to an immediate stop without driving into the vehicle in front of you.
You should always follow the three-second rule, but if the weather is bad or you’re driving a heavy vehicle, you should extend the timing.
As with the other common causes of car accidents listed below, you can also reduce the risk of rear-end collisions happening by driving strategically, not getting distracted, and not driving while drowsy or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Crashes at Intersections
Accidents frequently occur at intersections.
They’re often due to drivers being distracted, by using their cell phones or chatting to passengers, for instance, which can cause the drivers to miss when the traffic signal changes color or not notice when vehicles pause before turning.
In addition to ensuring you’re never distracted, make sure you practice defensive driving to avoid crashes at intersections.
It only takes a moment to look to see when lights change color and check no drivers are maneuvering incorrectly or speeding cars are approaching.
So, remain diligent at all times to significantly reduce the risk of being involved in an accident at an intersection.
Single-vehicle Accidents
Not all auto accidents involve another vehicle.
Single-vehicle collisions can involve swerving when there are animals, debris, or barriers in the road.
Also, rollovers can be common when driving off-road or when driving dangerously, such as speeding or driving under the influence.
In addition to ensuring you never speed or drive under the influence, you need to make certain you always pay attention to the road and drive in the right way for the weather conditions.
It could also be useful to go over tips for safe driving that all new drivers should know.
