Car accidents can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. If you’ve been in a car accident, you’re probably worried about your health, the cost of repairs, and what will happen next. But there are also legal considerations to worry about. Will your insurance cover everything? What happens if you were at fault?
Thankfully, there are ways you can avoid these accidents before they happen.
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Georgia that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Our auto accident lawyer in gerogia can help with this process.
Here are five common car accidents and how to help avoid them:
Table of Contents
1) Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents, accounting for more than 50 percent of all crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They typically happen when a driver follows another vehicle too closely behind it or is not paying attention to the speed and distance between their own car and the car ahead of them. In addition, many drivers don’t check their mirrors before changing lanes or merging onto highways, which increases the likelihood that they’ll hit someone who has stopped or slowed down ahead of them.
What to do: If you are driving behind someone who is not paying attention or driving too slowly, it’s easy to get frustrated and hit the brakes harder than necessary or cut off the driver in front of you. Instead, take a deep breath and stay calm as much as possible while following traffic laws and keeping a safe distance between you and other vehicles on the road.
Always leave enough room between your vehicle and the one in front of you so that there’s plenty of time to react if they stop suddenly. If you’re driving on a road with a lot of curves or hills, keep an eye out for drivers who may be tailgating or driving too close behind you.
2) Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision is when two vehicles collide in opposite directions (i.e., one is traveling north, while the other is traveling south). These types of crashes tend to occur at higher speeds than T-bone collisions because they occur at intersections or other areas where traffic crosses over each other’s paths.
Head-on collisions typically occur when one driver fails to yield right-of-way at an intersection or when two cars enter opposite directions at an intersection simultaneously without enough time or space between them to stop safely.
What to do: Don’t drive distracted and drive defensively. If you’re texting behind the wheel or responding to an email, it’s very easy to miss out on road signs and other vehicles around you — which could cause an accident. Pull off the road if you need to check your phone or send a text message; otherwise, wait until it’s safe to do so (i.e., not while driving down a busy highway).
3) T-bone Collisions
A T-bone collision also called a side-impact collision occurs when two vehicles collide head-on in opposite directions. This type of crash typically results in significant damage to one or both vehicles as well as injuries to the occupants.
T-bone collisions can happen when one driver fails to see an oncoming vehicle and fails to take evasive action before it’s too late — or when another driver speeds up instead of slowing down at an intersection. In either case, if you are traveling behind another vehicle without enough room between you and them for your car to stop safely, pay attention so that you can avoid hitting them from behind if they suddenly stop for any reason.
What to do: Be aware of your surroundings at all times and keep your eyes on the road. Don’t text or talk on the phone while you’re driving. If you have passengers in your car, make sure they aren’t distracting you by talking, moving around in their seats, or asking questions. Also, always use a signal before turning left or right onto a street or highway—even if no other cars are around—so that other drivers have time to react if they’re traveling toward your turn lane and might not see your signal lights until it’s too late to avoid an accident.
4) Sideswipes
A sideswipe occurs when two vehicles collide at the side of their bumpers or fenders. It’s not as common as rear-end collisions, but they can still result in serious injuries and damage to both vehicles involved in the accident.
What to do: Stay alert for other drivers who might turn into oncoming traffic without signaling first or pull out from side streets without looking over their shoulders first. If someone does pull out in front of you unexpectedly, slow down quickly so that you don’t hit them head-on.
5) Rollover Accidents
Rollovers occur when you lose control of your car, causing it to flip over. This can be caused by swerving to avoid another vehicle or object, driving too fast for the conditions, or taking a turn too sharply.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that around 13% of all fatal car accidents are rollover-related. They also found that almost half of all rollovers occur on rural roads and at night when visibility is poor and there may not be any other cars on the road. While there are many factors that can contribute to a rollover accident, including bad weather, poor road conditions, and distracted drivers, some drivers are at greater risk for rollover accidents than others.
What to do: Follow speed limits. When you’re driving at high speeds or taking turns too quickly, it’s easier for your vehicle to lose control and tip over. Slow down when possible to avoid skidding or losing control of your vehicle.
Takeaway
By taking a little extra care and making sure that your vehicle is always in good working order, you can help greatly reduce the chances of unfortunate incidents. Most accidents are preventable with an extra bit of care and attention. Taking these common car accidents into consideration can make all the difference when it comes to remaining safe on the road.
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Credits to Jason M. Ferguson
Jason M. Ferguson, the founder of Ferguson Law Group, started his career working for an automobile insurance company as a trial attorney before owning his injury law firm for over 20 years. Attorney Ferguson has a unique experience, having tried cases on both sides of the court system in personal injury trials, unlike many other lawyers. Mr. Ferguson also served over 14 years as an Army Reserve officer and the Georgia Air National Guard. The Albany Herald recognized him as one of southwest Georgia’s “40 under 40” in 2010.
