Car accidents are traumatic events, and nobody wants to experience one. What many people don’t know, though, is that certain types of car accidents happen more often than others. In this blog, we’ll consider the most common car accidents, the damage they cause, and how to avoid them in the first place.
Let’s dive in.
The 8 Most Common Car Accidents
These are the most common types of car accidents facing drivers today:
1. Rear-end collisions
Rear-end collisions happen when one car follows too closely to another. They can also take place when the driver in the car ahead must stop suddenly, causing a rear-end collision.
Crashes like this are most common in stop-and-go traffic, or in situations where traffic is hectic.
While they’re the most common type of car accident, they don’t tend to cause major damage. This is because most drivers are going slow when a rear-end collision occurs. To avoid these accidents, be sure to leave the proper following distance between you and the car ahead of you, and avoid stopping suddenly if you can.
2. Rollovers
Rollovers are some of the most dangerous types of car accidents, and the injuries they cause can often be fatal. Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips over onto its roof or side. These accidents happen when a car is attempting to turn at a high speed, when a vehicle swerves to miss a person or object, or due to inclement conditions like rain or snow.
To avoid rollovers, always observe a safe driving speed and avoid making sudden maneuvers on the road.
3. Side impacts
Side-impact collisions are sometimes also called broadside collisions. These crashes take place when one side of the vehicle is more affected by the impact than the other. These accidents occur most commonly at intersections when one vehicle fails to obey traffic lights or makes a turn without using a turn signal. The best way to avoid side-impact crashes is to always practice defensive driving.
4. Sideswipe accidents
Sideswipe accidents are like side impacts, except that the damage caused by them tends to be less severe. These accidents occur most commonly during merging when a merging driver fails to check all their blind spots before entering the flow of traffic.
To avoid sideswipe accidents, check and recheck all side- and rear-view mirrors before merging, and always use your turn indicator.
5. Head-on accidents
Head-on accidents are some of the most dangerous and deadly. These crashes occur when the front ends of two vehicles collide while the cars are traveling in opposite directions. They occur most frequently when one vehicle crosses the center line into oncoming traffic.
To avoid head-on accidents, drive at the speed limit, avoid distracted driving, and avoid traveling in poor weather. You may also consider investing in a car with a lane departure warning system.
6. Hit-and-runs
Hit-and-run accidents occur when one car strikes another and then leaves the scene. While hit-and-runs are often relatively minor, they can also be serious accidents that leave one party seriously injured.
7. Single-car accidents
Single-car accidents happen when a driver swerves to avoid an animal or object in the road and hits an inanimate object like a tree or lamp post. A single-car crash may also involve a driver hitting a parked car or diving into a building. You can avoid single-car accidents by avoiding distracted and impaired driving and obeying all speed limits and traffic laws.
8. Low speed accidents
Low-speed accidents are the least dangerous, but they are still relatively common. These crashes are usually known as “fender benders” and tend to occur in parking lots, in stop-and-go traffic, and in driving situations that involve speeds of less than 10mph. To avoid single-car accidents, practice defensive driving, and observe all posted speed limits.
How to Avoid Injury and Accident
While there’s no way to completely avoid car accidents, these simple tips can help you stay safe:
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Stay focused. Avoid distractions like eating, drinking, or using your cell phone while driving. Staying focused on the road will help you avoid dangers and road hazards.
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Drive defensively. Avoid situations that will force you to use your brakes or avoid hazards. Practice defensive driving and keep an eye on the drivers around you to identify dangerous situations and avoid them in plenty of time.
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Keep your car in good repair. Invest in routine maintenance and preventative mechanical work to keep your car running well. This is a simple task that will go a long way in preventing breakdown-related accidents.
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Give yourself plenty of space. Keep your distance from other cars. Park in the center of a parking space, for example, and practice safe following distances while driving.
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Slow down. Speed is a major factor in many car accidents. To keep yourself as safe as possible, slow down. Even a difference of 5-10mph can go a long way toward keeping you safer on the road, and helping you avoid preventable car accidents.
Know When to Hire a Lawyer
If you have been in a car accident, hire an injury attorney to protect your interests and represent you in court during any subsequent insurance claims. Here at Ward and Barnes, we are a team of skilled personal injury attorneys serving Pensacola drivers. If you need representation after a car accident, contact our team today.