Auto Accidents are uncommon. Some estimates put you at suffering one collision accident every 18 years. However, you should still exercise due diligence to do your part in preventing them. Here are 3 common causes of auto accidents, and how to avoid them.
Improper Backing
This is a way of saying that someone is backing up unsafely. This can happen in lanes of traffic, but more often does in parking lots. Preventing this kind of accident depends on your position. If you’re backing out, slowly backing while looking around is important. Another tip is to park towards the ends of parking lots where there is more space and clear sight-lines to prevent the conditions for the accident. If someone is backing up in front of you, give them plenty of space to back out. Let them clear if they’re already halfway out of their space. Don’t ever assume that someone is going to do something. Give your fellow driver space, and let them complete their maneuver if they’re clearly in the aisle. Honk if they back up to a point where they’re risking a collision with you.
Rear Ender
This is the most common accident on the roadway. One out of four collisions on the roadway will be a rear-end accident. These are the easiest accidents to avoid. If you’re driving behind someone, give enough space between you and them in case they suddenly brake. You should be able to see the bottom of the rear tires of their vehicle. A car length is typically an appropriate amount of distance between cars. If you get rear-ended, there really isn’t much you can do. Maintaining awareness is important and you may be able to change lanes in certain cases, but you could create another accident. If you don’t believe you can safely change lanes, you may be better off taking the impact to prevent being responsible for another accident.
Failure to Yield
Failure to Yield is done when making left turns in front of oncoming traffic. The left turn is one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can make, so it’s recommended to make sure that you have ample clearance before attempting a left turn.
If you’re involved in a serious accident, it’s important to find a personal injury attorney to protect yourself. Insurance can be a difficult subject to navigate without experience, and attorneys have vital experience for their clients to rely on.
Author Bio: Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2
