There are many types of car accidents resulting in injuries to drivers and passengers, but some are much more common than others. These types of accidents occur hundreds of times on a daily basis across U.S. and Texas roadways. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Texas, you should speak with a Dallas car accident lawyer today. Below is a list of the six most common types of auto accidents, and some tips on how you can avoid them.
1. Rear-End Accidents
One of the first things you learn when you are a beginner driver is to not hit the car in front of you. As simple as this sounds, rear-end collisions account for 25 to 30 percent of all car accidents.
Perhaps we drive close to the car in front of us because we think it will help us get to our destinations quicker. Or we don’t think that the car in front of us will step on his or her brakes until after we finish sending our text. However, car accident statistics show that this isn’t the case. While rear-end accidents are usually not viewed as anything more than a fender bender, they can and do cause serious injuries frequently.
Avoiding rear-end crashes: Leave ample space between your car and the one in front of you. You learned this in drivers’ education – don’t forget it now. Also, don’t drive distracted. Don’t access your cell phone while you are behind the wheel.
2. Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel
This may not seem like that likely of an event, but falling asleep at the wheel happens more than you think. In fact, it’s estimated that about 7 percent of all car accidents, and 21 percent of crashes with fatalities, are caused by sleeping or drowsy drivers. Additionally, nearly 37 percent of drivers have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel at least once in their lives.
Avoiding falling asleep behind the wheel: This one is simple – if you haven’t had enough sleep, or you feel drowsy, don’t get behind the wheel. There isn’t anything so important that you should take the risk of driving while you are so tired.
3. Losing Control of Your Car
Losing control of a vehicle causes about 11 percent of all car accidents. This percentage may seem like quite a large number because it’s hard to imagine losing control of your vehicle, but it does happen. A driver who is driving at too high of a speed can easily lose control going around a curve. Wet roads can also cause drivers to lose control. There are many other reasons that a driver may lose control. Really, any surprise situation whether a sudden turn or stop, an animal in the road, or anything that demands an instant response, can cause even an experienced driver to lose control.
Avoiding losing control of your car: Always keep in mind that your driving skills are not the only thing at play when you are driving. Your car, other drivers and the weather are also contributing factors.
4. Heading into Blind Areas
If you have ever made a left turn at an intersection when there is a big truck or bus opposite you and your vision is blocked, then you understand what it is to head into blind areas. As much as 12 percent of car accidents happen in these types of situations.
Avoiding heading into blind areas: Don’t assume. Always make sure that you can see what is coming. If you can’t, wait.
5. Lane or Road Departure
Staying in your lane is right up there on the list of things you learn first in drivers’ ed. Yet, 33 percent of accidents happen due to distracted lane departure. Distracted lane departure can be caused by a number of things, but it usually boils down to distracted driving. Whether it’s a cell phone, children in the backseat, or eating dinner with one hand and driving with the other, distractions can and do cause many accidents.
Avoiding lane departure accidents: Put down your technology, eat before you get in your car, and pay attention to the road in front of you – it might just save the kids in the backseat.
When the Worst Happens and You are Involved in a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, one of the types listed above or another type, it’s important that you contact a car accident attorney like Zach Herbert at Herbert & Eberstein for help with your case. If the other driver is responsible, and you have sustained injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.
Media Contact:
Attorney Zachary Herbert
T: (214) 414-3808