Every time you drive, you keep a close eye out to protect yourself and other motorists. After all, nobody wants to be involved in a car accident.
Unfortunately, collisions are a widespread problem on the road, and some are more common than others. In this post, we’ll discuss the most common kinds of car accidents and how to avoid them.
Let’s dive in.
The 3 Most Common Car Accident Types
There are dozens of ways to have a car accident, but some happen more frequently than others. Here’s a breakdown of the there most common types of car accidents, based on fatal events (which, thankfully, are declining in the U.S.):
1. Angle accidents
According to information reported by the Virginia Department of Transportation, angle accidents are the single most common type of car accident. These accidents occur when someone runs a stop sign or red light, disregards a yield sign, or changes lanes without checking for traffic firsts – resulting in an accident that takes place at an angle.
2. Rear-end collisions
Most drivers have either experienced a minor rear-end collision (often called a fender-bender) or seen one happen nearby. These accidents take place when one vehicle strikes another from the rear. While these accidents are most common at stop signs, lights, and other intersections, where the back driver isn’t paying attention to traffic flow, they can also take place when one driver cuts another off or slams on the brakes suddenly.
3. Collisions with trees or shrubs
Surprisingly, the third most common type of car accident actually only involves one car. Many accidents involve a vehicle colliding with a fixed object, like a tree. These accidents account for 7% of all fatal accidents in the U.S.
What to do After a Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in a car accident – no matter how or where it happened, there are a few things to do immediately:
- Document the scene. Call the police immediately after an accident. While you wait for them to arrive, take photos of the accident scene, including damage to either vehicle, surroundings, and injuries.
- Seek medical care. Even if you do not feel like you suffered a serious injury in the accident, it’s important to have a professional evaluation. You may have underlying injuries only a complete screen will reveal.
- Contact an accident attorney. As soon as you have received the care you need, contact an accident attorney in your area. You likely have options to pursue compensation and should waste no time filing an accident claim.
Get the Representation You Deserve in Pensacola
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you don’t have to navigate things alone. Contact Ward & Barnes for high-quality accident representation you can trust.
Ready to learn more about our practice or how we can help you navigate your accident claim? Contact our team today.