Driving to sports practice, school pick-up and drop-off, and to and from countless errands is part of your every day.
If your regular schedule includes commutes to work, carpooling, or taking kids to their various activities, you know that distracted driving or other reckless drivers can pose a threat.
Four Common Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Here are there 4 most common types of vehicle accidents to be aware of so you can better protect yourself and your passengers:
1. The Rear-End Collision
The most common type of car accident is the rear-end collision. In fact, the rear-end collision accounts for over 40% of the collisions in the U.S. according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
This type of accident occurs when one car hits the car in front of it. These kinds of vehicle accidents happen most often in heavy, stop and go traffic such as during rush hour or other busy times of the day.
A rear-end collision can cause significant damage to both the vehicle being hit and the vehicle doing the hitting.
2. Common Vehicle Accidents Include Intersection Collisions
Many collisions occur at intersections, particularly when one driver is trying to turn left while another driver is attempting to make a yellow light from the opposite direction. These “T-Bone” collisions can be quite dangerous, especially for passengers sitting on the left-hand side of the turning car.
They’re also dangerous because drivers are usually going at a high speed during these types of turns. Passengers in older cars that aren’t equipped with side airbags are prone to greater injury in a T-Bone collision.
3. Single Vehicle Collisions
A single-vehicle collision is one in which one car hits a stationary object such as a tree, a road sign, or a guardrail. These vehicle accidents typically occur when the driver is distracted by their phone, a passenger in the car, or weather conditions.
These collisions can cause serious injury to the driver and the passengers in the car if high speeds of travel or loss of control are involved. Plus, many stationary objects that are involved in the accident are not very shock absorbent which only adds to the damage. If you’ve been injured in this type of accident, or any type of collision for that matter, you can always contact New Jersey car accident doctors for help.
4. Low-Speed Collisions
Low-speed collisions are common, but they’re the least likely to cause serious injury or damage to the vehicle.
These types of collisions occur when a motorist backs into another car at low-speeds. They often happen in a parking lot when one car is attempting to exit or enter a parking space or when a car is backing up and doesn’t notice an object or vehicle behind them.
Causes of Car Accidents
To avoid motor vehicle accidents, it is essential that you know all the common causes of car accidents. By avoiding these, you will be able to significantly reduce the chances of getting into a collision. Here are some of the most common causes of car accidents.
Distracted Driving
Drivers that are distracted by either their phone or someone else are more likely to cause an accident than those who are focused. Avoid distractions such as talking, reading books or maps, eating, drinking, watching a video, or using a GPS device when driving. Your attention should be solely on the road ahead of you so that you do not accidentally crash the car into a pole, another vehicle, or another person.
Texting-While-Driving
If you text while driving, your eyes focus on your phone rather than the road. Statistics show that you are almost 23 times more likely to get into a car accident while texting while driving. Try to get all your texts and calls out of the way before you get behind the wheel of a car.
Drugged or Drunk Driving
If you are under the influence of a drug or alcohol, your motor skills are impaired, meaning you cannot act fast enough. Your reaction time will likely be slower, and your judgment will also be faulty. This puts you at an increased risk of causing an accident. Drugged and drunk driving threatens you and other motorists, so you should avoid it at all costs.
Drowsy Driving
When you don’t get enough sleep, you are less alert, and your body is not prepared to react quickly, which can cause accidents. Ensure you get plenty of rest and are alert when driving.
Speeding
Speeding is another common cause of car accidents. When your vehicle is driving very fast, and you need to swerve, you may not have enough time to do so and may end up in a collision. Therefore, it is crucial that you follow the speed limits, as they are there to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Learn More Safety Tips
Now that you’ve learned more about these common vehicle accidents and how they can impact you, discover helpful tips for improving your safety on the road or at home by browsing our blog.
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