Common Causes of Car Accidents – and Ways to Avoid Them

Law/Nuestro blog/Common Causes of Car Accidents – and Ways to Avoid Them

Common Causes of Car Accidents – and Ways to Avoid Them

29/05/2024

Car accidents are an increasingly common source of injuries and loss of property and life. Every year, there are estimated to be over six million car accidents, in the US alone. We drive everywhere, and even short distances pose a hazard to drivers, as well as pedestrians and people on bicycles. The loss of property in these accidents can be considerable. Here are some of the most common car accident causes, and what you might be able to do to avoid them.



Rear-End Collisions

Approximately twenty-nine percent of all car accidents are the result of rear-end collisions, including two-car and “pile-ups,” where multiple cars are involved. This type of accident means that you have hit another car behind, or they have done so to you, or, if you’re in the middle of a pile-up, both happen to you – often due to no fault of your own. The easiest way to avoid a rear-end collision is:

  • Concentrate on the road in front of you, and
    don’t get distracted
  • Keep an eye on the traffic around you, noting
    speed changes
  • Keep three car lengths, or three seconds behind
    the vehicle in front of you; allow for more space in the case of bad driving
    conditions
  • Don’t drive impaired – meaning alcohol, drugs,
    or fatigue or sleepiness – all of these have a high likelihood of causing an
    accident

Crashes at Intersections

Intersections can be a source of confusion, especially if street lights are out or if not everyone is following the rules, in the case of multiple stop signs – especially a four-way stop. These accidents can include t-boning (where one car head-on hits another car’s side) or rear-end collisions, as well as pile-ups. To avoid an intersection crash:

  • Stay alert – this is a good tip always, but
    especially anywhere you aren’t familiar with
  • Keep an eye out for pedestrians (who have right
    of way)
  • Don’t rely on the traffic light – look both ways
    when driving to ensure no one else is running a light

Blind-Spot-Related Accidents

Most automobiles have some kind of blind spot, so it stands to reason that they are a common cause of many car accidents each year. They are almost entirely avoidable, as well, despite the commonality of the blind spot itself. If you can’t see out of part of your automobile, you have to drive accordingly. Preventing blind-spot related accidents starts with:

  • Check your blind spots first (even if you have
    cameras) – make sure nothing is missed and that all pathways are clear
  • Learn your blind spots before heading out on the
    road – this is part of attentive driving

Defensive Driving is the Best Driving

The smartest way to avoid being the cause of a car accident is to drive defensively. Keep an eye out for everyone and everything else, and follow traffic laws. If you’re unfortunate enough to be involved in a car accident, contact RS Law Offices to consult on your case and get you the best possible results.

blogs

You might like

Five Products for Truck Driver Safety

Truck drivers are the backbone of the economy, and their safety is of the utmost importance. Not only are they at special risk of trafficaccidents, but truck driving comes with a host of other dangers. The easiest way to stay safe while driving any vehicle is being aware of your surroundings and making sure your […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Winter Bicycle Riding Tips

With cold winds in your face and slick surfaces to navigate, the winter is not the ideal to ride on your typical bicycle. Many of us use a bike as our regular transportation, and some of us have our bikes tricked out for winter riding, as well. In order to make the most of your […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in the United States

Whether due to size, or footprint of the motorcycle, or sheer stability, or a combination of these factors, motorcycles are much more likely to be involved in an accident than other automobiles. Certainly, in some cases, this is a visibility issue as well, with many drivers of other automobiles not looking in their blind spots […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Having your winter tires installed on your car and packing a windshield scraper is a good start to being prepared to drive in the winter, but as the cold weather gets harsher, the driving conditions get worse. With this comes the tendency for some people to overcorrect or not know how to stop properly, or […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Winter Slip and Fall Accident Tips

Whether your winter is cold and snowy or just plain cold, winter is a time when slipand fall accidents are increasingly likely. Cold, wind, ice and snow are problems on their own and when they combine, it’s a perfect storm of injury possibilities. Typically, these conditions result in bruises and bumps, but there’s always the […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Pedestrian Safety in Cold Weather

When it’s cold outside, people drive worse than they did before. If you’re a pedestrian, you need to take extra precautions during the cold weather and, if you’re driving, you need to keep an extra eye out for pedestrians who are even harder to see, especially if snow is lowering your visibility. Safety is always […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Five Apps for Bicyclists

Bicycle accidents happen all the time in the United States, and practicing bicycle safety is relatively simple – it just involves a lot of mindful riding and the safest possible equipment. Another part of safe bicycle riding is making sure you have your routes planned out and, in the case of an emergency, it doesn’t […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Winter Rideshare Safety Tips

Winter driving is no joke in general. Everyone needs to slow down and be sure to take the proper winter driving precautions, but if you drive a rideshare, your point-to-point driving makes you more vulnerable to getting in an accident than if you were simply driving to and from work. Add to this the dangers […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Five Apps Every Trucker Should Have

Driving a tractor trailer or any other large vehicle isn’t just about long hours, lots of miles and making sure you’re still driving safely after those lengthy days. It’s a lifestyle, and like any other connected lifestyle in the 21st century, there are plenty of apps to go around designed to help make a truck […]

29/05/2024
Read more

Personal Injury Lawsuits: What You Need to Know and how RS Law Office Can Help

Life is pretty unpredictable. One minute you’re healthy and bubbly, the next one you are nursing an injury due to someone else’s negligence. But the fact that life is unpredictable does not in any way reduce the pain and confusion that may arise when you find yourself in harm’s way due to another person’s negligence. […]

07/06/2024
Read more

formulario de contacto

Póngase en contacto

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from RS Law Offices. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. View our Privacy Policy.