Common Car Accidents and How to Avoid Them – A Brief Guide for New Car Owners

Car accidents happen all the time, and when you get into an accident, you have a handful to deal with, such as car repairs, possible injuries, medical bills, dealing with insurance adjusters, etc. On that note, safe driving can go a long way in keeping yourself, your loved one, and other drivers safe on the road. 

If you are a newbie car driver, you should know about the following accidents and how you can avoid them. 

Avoid Rear-End Collisions

Did you know that rear-end collisions are one of the most common reasons for car insurance claims? You might be the driver hitting the other driver’s car, or maybe your car is rear-ended by another car. Nonetheless, you can avoid rear-end collisions by following some precautionary measures. 

Maintain Safe Distance 

The best way to avoid rear-end collisions is by maintaining a safe distance between your car and the car in front of you. What this does for you is that it allows you to stop safely. As a rule of thumb, you should stay at least three seconds behind the car in front of you. If you have a truck in front of you, you need to maintain more distance.

Extend the brake time if you are driving in bad weather conditions. 

Drive Strategically

Of course, you must drive strategically to avoid rear-end collisions. At this point, you might as well want to drive defensively and avoid situations that could cause you to get into an accident. If a driver is following you closely or they are distracted, you need to drive strategically to avoid getting rear-ended. 

Avoid Distractions

Speaking of distractions, you must remain distracted-free while driving. The worst you can do is to take your eyes off the road while you are maneuvering your car. The best thing you can do is to put your phone on silent mode while driving and mute your notifications. You might as well want to stop your car at a safe spot and take a call if it is urgent.

However, while driving, keep your eyes on the road so that you can use the brakes if the car in front of you stops suddenly. 

Avoid Toxic Driving

Lastly, to avoid accidents and rear-end collisions, you must prevent toxic driving at all costs. Toxic driving can put you at a higher risk of getting in an accident. Most car accidents that are caused by toxic driving are lethal. Also, driving when drunk can cause you to lose your driving license, lose your job, and get a severe penalty.

On that note, if you get into an accident that another drunk driver causes, it is in your best interest to contact a car accident lawyer, as the attorney can help you get compensation for damages, medical bills, and lost wages. 

Single-Car Accident

Another common accident is a single-car accident, which is where a car might collide with a road barrier or an animal. A car might as well drive off the road and get into an accident. Here are some simple ways to avoid single-car accidents:

Drive According to the Weather 

Always check the weather so you can prepare in advance. If it is snowing or you are driving on icy roads, and yours is the only car on the road, you still need to drive at a slower speed so you can maintain control of your car. You might as well want to refresh your driving skills for harsh weather before the coldest season of the year kicks in.

Be Alert When Driving

Driving is a massive responsibility, which is why you must always be on alert and pay attention. So, you might be the only person on the road, but it still doesn’t mean that it is okay to text or be on the call. The thing is that you never know when the situation will change on the road, so staying alert, even when you are the only driver on the road, can prevent accidents. 

Car Accidents at Intersections 

Intersections can be incredibly dangerous – it doesn’t matter whether you are driving a car or you are on a motorcycle. Whenever you approach an intersection, you should be highly alert as there is a chance of distracted drivers who can cause crashes at intersections. Some drivers don’t even notice stopped vehicles at intersections. 

Practice Defensive Driving 

Defensive driving can help you prevent accidents, especially near intersections. Take a brief moment after the light turns green at the intersections to ensure that no car is coming through the intersection. You should also look out for drivers who might be speeding so they can make it through the yellow light at an intersection. The best thing you can do is never to take chances when approaching a yellow light. 

Parked Car Accidents

Another common reason for car accidents is parked car accidents. You might have left your car in a parking lot or on the side of the road, and when you return, you will see that a car collided with your car. To avoid parked car accidents, you might want to opt for the following safety measures: 

Go the Extra Mile

You might want to drive the extra mile and go the distance to avoid parking your car at a busy part of the parking lot. The thing is that you must select a parking spot away from heavy traffic. By doing so, you will decrease the chance of getting hit by another car while you are parked.

Park the Car in the Center of the Parking Lot

Make it a rule to park in the center of the parking lot. Reposition your car if you feel that your car is too close to the parking line. This way, you can prevent your car from getting hit by another passing car. 

Parking your car in the center of the parking lot can prevent your car from getting hit by swinging doors from other cars. The best thing you can do is to park your car inside a garage, as garages exist for a reason. A garage is a safe place to park your car when not driving. 

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