Common Causes of Car Accidents and How to Avoid Them

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Even though cars are getting safer and safer every day - largely thanks to the influx of technology which has helped to make them 'smarter' - hundreds of people still get into car accidents every single day. And while there are a myriad of reasons why this can happen, there are a few common causes which seem to strike more often than others.

By identifying what these are, you put yourself in the best possible position to avoid these happening to you. So, let's look in more detail at a few common causes of car accidents and how to avoid them. These are all certainly worth bearing in mind.

Rear Ending

Driving into the car in front of you is a highly common cause of accidents. Indeed, it is estimated that nearly a third of all collisions are caused in this manner. The best way of preventing this from happening to you is to be more aware of your surroundings. Therefore, you need to minimise all the distractions around you including playing with your smartphone, adjusting your stereo system etc. You should also keep plenty of distance from the car in front to give you the extra time to react if you should need it.

Hitting a Parked Car

A lot of accidents occur when you are involved in close manoeuvres like parking. You can help to reduce the likelihood of getting into this type of collision by staying aware of your surroundings, as well as the size of the vehicle that you are driving. Use your rearview mirrors or parking camera as much as possible to stay aware of exactly what is behind you. It is always better to park too far away rather than too close.

Hydroplaning

You need to make sure that you are adjusting your driving habits depending on the current weather conditions. If you are moving around in wet weather, you are much more likely to get involved in hydroplaning . This is when the car is not in proper contact with the road and you can end up having very little control with the steering wheel. Make sure you take it slow and steady if the conditions on the road seem to be a little dicey. Give yourself even more time to arrive at your destination than you normally would.

Side-Impact

Getting into a collision which involves the side of your car can be even more dangerous than the front or back as you have less space to absorb energy and shield passengers. Remember that the rules of the road are there for a reason, making sure that you halt at stop signs and don't risk running a red light if it is just about to change.

Obviously, there are no surefire ways to ensure that you don't get into car accidents. But these are just a few of the precautions which you can take to reduce the chances of encountering problems.