Follow These Safety Tips to Avoid the Most Common Causes of Car Crashes

Driving is an incredible skill. It takes you exactly to where you need to go. However, there are also incredible risks when you don’t follow key safety tips.

More than 33,000 fatal car accidents occurred in the United States in 2019. That’s 11 deaths for every 100,000 drivers. 

Many people think car accidents typically take place at red lights or on highways. Those are common locations for accidents, but there are several different causes of car crashes. 

What are they? What are some safety tips you can use to avoid them?  Here is your quick guide.

Rear-End Crash Tip

Rear-end collisions are among the most common kinds of car accidents. They account for 29 percent of accidents that result in serious injuries. 

The easiest way to avoid them is to keep your distance. Put plenty of space between yourself and surrounding vehicles.

If you are driving a passenger car, stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle directly in front of you. If the roads are wet or the lighting is not good, double that time. 

When you are making a turn, use your blinkers. If you aren’t confident that drivers behind you can see you, use hand signals. 

Avoid instances where you will use your brakes without warning. Look in front of you and avoid obstacles with strategic turns. Pull over to the side of the road if you need to make a sudden stop. 

Backing Collisions Tip

Backing collisions occur when you are backing out your car. It is very difficult to see behind your vehicle, even when you have a camera view. 

Slowly back up as little as possible.  Or, park in a way that you won’t need to back up. Pull through a spot or park in a position so you are facing forward. 

Do not solely rely on your backup camera and mirrors. Arrange your mirrors in a straight line so you can see the reflection over your seats. Also, be sure to physically turn your body and look out through your windows. Ensure that there are no passing cars or pedestrians.  This safety tip to check for all blindspots is crucial.

Drive backward in a straight line. Hold your steering wheel firm so you don’t lose control.

Collisions at Intersections Tip

Intersections are tricky, given that vehicles are moving at different speeds and coming from several directions. Take a look while your vehicle is stopped. Get a sense of who is around you and how the lights are changing. 

If you approach an intersection while the light is yellow, do not try to beat it. Speeding can get you a ticket or cause an accident. One of the most powerful safety tips is to slow down, let the light turn, and wait. 

Signal your turns and make proper adjustments to your speed. If you are too fast, the center of balance in your vehicle will change abruptly. This increases your risk for an accident. 

Roundabouts are circular intersections. This can make it difficult to see cars and execute turns. 

As you approach, look up and to the left. Start to make your turn at a reduced speed. When you are ready to leave, move into the farthest lane and execute your turn out.

Single-Vehicle Auto Accidents Tip

You can get into a single-vehicle accident in a few ways. You may drive into a barrier, tree, or animal. 

Always drive in environments where you have a good field of vision. If it’s dark, put on your headlights. Don’t drive for long hours at night unless the road is well-lit and well-rested. 

Put away your cell phone and other distracting electronics. Listen to albums or longer podcasts so you won’t feel the need to change the radio. 

Do not drive while intoxicated. This includes medical prescriptions, as medications can make you drowsy. Legal prescription and controlled substances still impair your driving ability. 

There are other causes for single-vehicle accidents. Hydroplaning occurs when driving on wet surfaces. Stay off roads that are wet and drive straight at low speeds. 

Driving off-road can result in a blown tire or rollover. Check your tires in advance to make sure they can grip the terrain. Stay in the middle of your path and steer away from obstacles like rocks and trees.

Parked Car Accidents Tip

Other drivers can crash into your car while it is parked. There is not much you can do to avoid this, but you should know the best safety tips for parking. 

Do not stop in the middle of a road, intersection, or exit. If you are in a parking lot, do not park in the busiest area. Stay away from heavy traffic and park where there are several spaces free. 

Park straight down the spot. If your car is crooked, readjust until it is right. This is especially important for parallel or curbside parking. 

Do not park near a driveway or tight turn. If there are no other spots available, wait for one to open up. 

Whenever possible, find a garage with multiple stories to park in. The less your car is on the road, the fewer accidents you can get into. 

You can contact a lawyer if your car gets sideswiped. A sideswipe car accident lawyer can get you an insurance payout and investigate who drove into your vehicle. Keep an attorney’s contact information on hand. 

Essential Safety Tips for Drivers 

Correctly following safety tips depends on knowing the different factors that contribute to accidents. Avoid rear-end collisions by giving yourself plenty of space. 

Use your mirrors to prevent backing collisions. Signal your turns and adjust your speed at intersections. 

Drive in well-lit areas without being intoxicated to avoid single-vehicle collisions. Park your car away from others so they don’t run into you. 

When you get into an accident, hire an attorney who will assist you 24/7. The Law Offices of Daniel Kim has won more than 20 awards. Contact us today.