Part of remaining safe on West Virginia’s roadways involves understanding what can go wrong. Of course, no one has a way to predict what will happen when he or she gets behind the wheel.
Even so, there are certain driver behaviors that lead to common accidents. The more information you have, the better prepared you may be if you see the signs of a potential crash coming your way.
Here are the most common accidents you may be able to avoid
When it comes to making mistakes, drivers often make plenty of them. The trick is having enough skill and luck to avoid the following common car accidents:
- Parking lot accidents most often happen when vehicles are moving through them and drivers aren’t paying attention — either the ones backing out or the ones traveling through the lane. Keep a watchful eye out for reverse lights, or move slowly out of a space to check for vehicles that may not stop for you.
- Rear-end collisions make up around 29 percent of accidents. If you are following, remain attentive, and if you are the one ahead, try to keep an escape route open and make use of your rearview mirror.
- Side-impact collisions cause around 27 percent of passenger deaths. Make sure the way is clear as you begin a turn, and don’t expect oncoming traffic to stop.
- Wet roads leave vehicles vulnerable to hydroplaning, which means a loss of traction and connection to the road, which means you could lose control of your vehicle. Slow down when the roads are wet.
- Around 54 percent of all collisions are front-impact. Adjust your driving for weather and road conditions, don’t get distracted, and watch out for other drivers who don’t heed this advice.
Even if you drive safely and remain vigilant, you can’t control the actions of another driver. Despite your best efforts, you may not have the time or room to avoid a collision. If another vehicle hits yours, and you suffer injuries in the crash, you could face substantial medical bills. You may also need to miss a significant amount of work during your recovery.
It may be possible to attempt to recoup these and other damages through the filing of a personal injury claim. An attorney could prove invaluable in this endeavor so that you can focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track.
