When you hear the word “car accident,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? For a lot of people, it’s a very negative experience. They think about the way they felt when someone else was at fault for their injuries or how helpless they were when their car had been totaled. “How can I prevent being in an accident?” is a question you’ve probably asked yourself several times.”
Common Car Accident Causes
In this blog post, we will answer that question and share with you some common causes of accidents so that you know what to look out for on the road!
Wear Your Seatbelt
Everyone knows that wearing a seatbelt is important, but some people don’t realize how much of an impact it can have on their safety. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half.” That’s huge!
Wearing your seat belt also makes you more visible. Seatbelts are bright orange for a reason to be seen more easily by drivers around you. Therefore, make sure that your seatbelt is on correctly and always wear it.
Don’t Text and Drive
Believe it or not, your phone can be just as dangerous when you’re driving as other distractions such as eating and drinking. According to statistics, more than 660,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving in the United States alone in 2012.
Texting while driving is appalling because it involves so many different types of distractions. You have to hold your phone, look at it, navigate the road with one hand while typing on a tiny keyboard, and not drop the device… all while you’re driving. Don’t text and drive.
Keep a Safe Distance From the Car in Front of You
This tip is essential if you are driving in heavy traffic or on the highway. You should always keep a safe distance between your car and any other vehicle around you, but it’s even more critical when there are lots of cars to avoid hitting anyone else who might make an abrupt stop.
A safe distance is the number one way to prevent yourself from getting into a car accident. However, if involved in a car accident, ensure that you follow the laid down procedures for a car accident. You might need a lawyer to represent you in your claim, especially if it’s a case of serious injury and long-term damage.
Slow Down When it’s Raining, or There are Puddles on the Road
Driving fast in the rain is a lot like texting and driving: it’s dangerous. If you drive at normal speeds when there are puddles, your tires will be able to handle them easier than if you try to go too quickly around them.
The problem with going really fast on wet roads is that water can cause hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is when your car loses contact with the surface of the road, and it feels like you are driving on a layer of water. This can lead to losing control, sliding or skidding off into another lane, or even spinning out.
Check Your Mirrors Before Changing Lanes
Mirrors are important because they allow you to see what is going on around your vehicle. Before changing lanes, make sure that there aren’t any cars in the other lane, and check your blind spot as well. Ensure that your car mirrors are properly adjusted for your height and that you can see around your vehicle easily.
If a car comes up quickly from behind or another driver has changed lanes without checking their mirrors, it can lead to an accident. If another car is in the other lane or coming up behind you, do not change lanes! Check again before changing lanes to make sure there aren’t any problems ahead of time. This will prevent accidents from ever occurring.
Pay Attention to What is Happening Around You, Including Pedestrians and Cyclists
Pedestrians and cyclists are often overlooked when it comes to driving in a city. However, they can be very dangerous for drivers! Pedestrians might cross the street without checking whether or not there is oncoming traffic, while cyclists could make sudden turns unexpectedly.
Both pedestrians and bikers usually aren’t paying attention to what’s happening around them when they are walking or biking, so you must do so. Be aware of your surroundings at all times to avoid getting into an accident with a pedestrian or cyclist! Don’t forget to drive defensively and use common sense when driving to avoid the most common causes of car accidents.
Don’t drive distracted, wear your seatbelt, and keep a safe distance from other cars when you’re on the road! With these three tips in mind, there’s no reason why everyone should not be able to avoid being in an accident. In fact, if you can add just one of them to your driving routine, you will lower your chances of being involved in a car accident significantly.