Every year, close to 6 million accidents happen on US roads. At this rate, accidents seem to be almost unavoidable, whether or not you’re a safe driver.
Reckless driving accidents occur almost every day; falling victim to them can leave you injured or permanently impaired.
Learning the most common types of accidents that occur on American roads can help you develop strategies to stay safe and never become a victim.
In this article, we’ll discuss seven types of road accidents as well as tips on how to make your road trips safer.
Head On Collisions
Head-on collisions happen when two vehicles collide with each other from opposite directions. They are the most dangerous type of accident because the occupants of both vehicles are vulnerable to severe harm. In 2020, there was a record of 3,631 deaths as a result of these head-on collisions.
Most cases involve one-way drivers who did not pay attention to the lanes or tried to switch lanes without proper measures.
Side-Impact Collisions
Side impact collisions are usually called T-bone crashes. This is because of the manner in which they occur: the front end of one vehicle crashes into the side of another at a 90-degree angle.
Intersections are the primary venues for side-impact collisions. These accidents are common because of the high number of drivers who fail to observe the rules of the road, such as traffic signs.
To be on the safe side, drivers must practice defensive driving techniques. This involves ensuring that no one else is coming before you enter an intersection.
Rear End Collisions
Rear end accidents are more common than other types of accidents. As the name implies, it occurs when a driver crashes into another driver from behind. The tailing driver is typically at fault in situations like this.
Often, they are involved in activities that distract them. Or, it could simply be that they failed to keep a safe distance.
Rear end collisions often happen at low speeds because the tailing driver tries to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front. However, if this is not the case, the impact can be quite severe.
Sideswipes
Sideswipe accidents happen between vehicles traveling parallel to each other in the same lane. These vehicles scratch each other, and if the impact is strong enough, the weaker vehicle might be driven off the road.
A single sideswipe can result in multiple accidents. The vehicle pushed off the road can veer into another lane of traffic, hit other vehicles, or even pedestrians.
Single Vehicle Accidents
It’s quite surprising how common single-vehicle accidents are. Despite the fact that there’s only one vehicle involved, the impact can be quite severe and also extend to surrounding vehicles and even people.
A single-vehicle accident may occur when a driver runs into something in their path. Reckless driving, lack of attention, and faulty vehicles are also the primary causes of these types of accidents.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident involves a vehicle being overturned and landing on its roof or side. SUVs, pickups, and vans are more prone to rollover accidents because of their distinct height, weight, and wheelbase combinations.
The impact of these accidents can be fatal for the occupants of the vehicles. Speeding, driving under the influence, and vehicle overload are the most common causes of rollover accidents.
Blind Spots Accident
Some drivers prefer to ignore blind spots and rely on their eyes and wits alone. This is a recipe for disaster.
Failure to check blind spots makes the driver more susceptible to sideswipes. For truck drivers, failure to check blind spots can lead to accidents involving smaller vehicles.
Wrapping Up
There you have it: the most common types of accidents on US roads. Even if you do not cause an accident yourself, you’re likely to become a victim as a result of someone else’s negligence.
As a driver, you must be alert at all times. Be conscious of other road users as well as yourself. You can never tell which corner a lousy driver is coming from. Do your best to stay safe.
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