5 Most Common Car Accident Types & How To Prevent Them
A car accident can happen to anyone, and we should always know what to do in case of one. However, this article is about something else. It’s about all the things to do and consider to avoid a car accident. Here are the most common types of car accidents and how to prevent them.
#1. Rear-End Collisions
This is one of the most common reasons for auto insurance claims, and whether you are the driver who hits a vehicle or not, here’s what you can do to avoid a rear-end collision.
• Always keep your distance: As a general rule of thumb, you should always be able to see the tires from the vehicle ahead of you, especially if you’re in a heavier vehicle. In bad weather, we advise being at least 200 feet apart due to the conditions of the road.
• Eliminate distractions: Don’t eat, text, or reach for your phone. You should always be focused on the road. If you expect a phone call, make sure you have a hands-free set, and your phone is mounted somewhere in your vehicle.
• Drive strategically: Think in advance, and try to avoid situations where you’d be forced to hit the breaks. You may prevent a collision in the front but someone behind you may not and hit you.
• Never drive when drowsy or under the influence: Drivers are more likely to make errors and forget all about the tips listed above when sleepy or impaired by drugs or alcohol.
#2. Parked Car Damage
We all have to park somewhere, and when this is not our garage, here’s what to do to avoid your parked car being hit.
• Consider walking after you park: Do not go for the busiest part of a parking lot, and do consider walking an extra minute or two. It’s not worth being hit because of high traffic, especially if the solution is to do the healthy thing and take a long walk.
• Maximize the space: Always park in the center of a spot. This helps prevent dings from swinging doors and minimizes the risk of being hit by others pulling in or out.
#3. Single-Vehicle Accidents
These include collisions with debris, animals, road barriers, rollovers, and accidents when driving off-road.
• Drive right for the weather: Make sure your tires are in great condition before every drive. Also, refreshing your winter driving skills before the season starts is always a good idea.
• Don’t speed up: Approximately 35% of all motor vehicle fatalities have resulted from speeding. It’s dangerous even if there’s no one else around you.
#4. Windshield Damage
Rocks and stones that are thrown up in the air by other vehicles are the most common cause of windshield damage. The only thing you can do is keep your distance and hope for the best. This especially applies to keeping your distance from snow plows. If you do find yourself having issues with windshield damage, we advise visiting a windshield repair company such as Safelite.
#5. Crashes at Intersections
Always practice defensive driving. For example, take a moment after the green light to make sure no one is coming through the intersection. There may be a driver speeding to make it through a yellow light on a cross street. Also, don’t be that driver; always be cautious rather than taking chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your first and foremost action following an accident is to stay calm, check if you or anyone else involved has been injured, and call the police. Get the name and contact information of all parties involved in the accident as well as any witnesses of the event. To document the damage, take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles, and your injuries. It’s important not to admit liability until you hire an attorney because they will conduct a thorough investigation to establish the driver at fault.
Right after a car accident, you may feel fine, but injuries can surface days, weeks, and even months later. That’s why it’s good to see a doctor even if you don’t believe you were injured in the accident. Your doctor can recognize issues or injuries that won’t immediately become apparent to you and alert you to warning signs of injuries that may arise due to the accident. If you fail to treat your injuries within a certain period of time, you may forfeit your right to get reimbursement for future medical costs. The general rule is not to settle auto accident claims without having been examined by a medical professional.
In most cases, you won’t have to go to court. The majority of auto accident claims are resolved outside of court after negotiating the terms with the insurer. Most insurance companies generally try to settle claims as quickly as possible and for as little money as possible, so it’s wise to have an attorney negotiate on your behalf.
In addition to taking pictures of the accident scene and taking the contact information of the involved parties and witnesses, your detailed explanation of how the accident happened is also necessary to file a claim. Law enforcement reports of the accident will also serve as crucial evidence in your claim.
Many factors determine the driver at fault in an auto accident case. Do not accept any part of the blame until the investigation has concluded. Even if the investigation finds that you are partially at fault, you may still be entitled to receive compensation.
There are cases when the victim also shares part of the blame for an accident. If, for example, you were driving five to ten mph over the speed limit when the accident happened, this would have limited your reaction time, and you could likely be considered a negligent driver even if you weren’t the one to cause the crash. Different states have different ways of settling auto accident claims where more than one driver is at fault. So it’s best to check the specific laws in your state (or the state where the accident took place) or discuss the matter with your auto accident injury lawyer.
It happens surprisingly often that people get into an auto accident where the driver at fault doesn’t have insurance. In these situations, it’s wise to have an auto insurance policy that comes with Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. That way, if you get into an accident and the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, you will still be able to file your claim under the UM coverage you have with your own insurance company. Your insurer will then process the claim following the same process as it would for an opposing insurer. The only difference is that the claim will be against your UM coverage and not against another driver.
Likewise, if you were involved in a hit-and-run accident where the responsible driver fled the scene before you could take their information, you can again seek compensation from your UM coverage.
Suppose you suffered injuries after an auto accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence. In that case, there are two main types of damages that you may seek compensation for: compensatory (a.k.a. monetary) and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages are the most common type of damages in a personal injury claim, and they often include:
● Current and future medical bills
● Property damage
● Emotional duress
● Lost wages
● Loss of enjoyment of life
● Loss of future earnings potential
On the other hand, punitive damages are much rarer, but they can occur in situations where the vehicle manufacturer is to blame.
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