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5 Most Common Car Accidents

Car accidents are distressingly common, to the tune of around 5.5 million crashes per year. These accidents kill nearly 30,000 people every year and injure millions more. Sadly, vehicle crashes have become a fact of life.

Some car accidents are more common that others. Knowing which accidents are more likely can hopefully help you avoid them, and the costly damages and injures that occur. So which car accidents are the most common?

1. The Rear Ender

Drivers tend to tailgate. They also tend to be distracted by music, conversations, directions, phones, and who knows what else. The last thing most drivers notice is the car in front of them, stopping short. They may not cause the most damage, but rear-ending another car or getting rear-ended yourself is the most common kind of car accident. And in almost all cases, it’s the car that does the rear-ending that’s at fault.

2. The Single Shot

Just because there’s only one car involved doesn’t make single-car crashes any safer. Sometimes it’s as simple as backing into a sign or tree. Sometimes it’s scarier, losing control on ice or in heavy rain. Obviously maintaining a safe speed and being aware of possible dangers on the road can help you avoid single-car accidents, and you should probably avoid leaving the scene, even if another car isn’t involved.

3. The T-Bone

While these may be less common, they might be the most scary. Multiple vehicles entering the same intersection can be catastrophic. Even if you know you have a green light or the right of way in an intersection, you should still slow down and pay extra attention to cross-traffic.

4. The Merge

They call them blind spots for a reason. Any time we’re changing lanes, we up the chance for an accident, and sideswiping another car or getting sideswiped yourself can happen, even with all the fancy technology new cars have to warn us. Make sure all of your rearview mirrors are in the proper position, double check your blind spots, and use your signal when changing lanes. (And watch out for the fake wave, one of the most commonly staged car accidents.

5. The Act of Nature

Sometimes accidents happen to your car without ever getting out on the road. Damage from snow, hail, or falling tree branches or whole trees is especially common this time of year. While there’s not a whole lot you can do to battle Mother Nature, there are better and worse ways to handle the insurance claim for damages.

The best way to handle any type of car accident, especially if injuries are involved, might be to contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

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