The roads are a dangerous place. Whether you’re driving a car, motorcycle, lorry, van, or bicycle, you’ll always face risks when operating a vehicle. But if you want to be safer while you’re out and about, it’s important to understand what the leading causes of accidents are; that way, you’ll be able to avoid them or at least minimize the risk to yourself and others.
What causes car accidents?
There are many reasons that you could find yourself in a car accident, and while none of them are good experiences, you can do their things as a driver to prevent a lot of them.
Speeding – we’ve all heard of the saying “speed kills,” and it really does. Traveling above the speed limit is an easy way to cause an accident. By driving at or below the legal limit, you’ll be minimizing the risk to yourself and others.
Drunk driving – you’ll have seen many adverts on TV and online courtesy of alcohol companies detailing the devastating impacts of drunk driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol causes accidents every day, even when this can be avoided.
Rain – unfortunately, you can’t turn off the rain. You can, however, be more cautious when driving in the rain. Water creates slick and dangerous surfaces for all kinds of vehicles.
Driving through a red light – when you drive through a red light, you run the risk of causing an accident. These types of accidents can result in serious injuries or even death because of the side-impact collision.
Tailgating – a lot of accidents happen when drivers dangerously tailgate another driver at high speeds. You can prevent these by giving the car in front of you the appropriate stopping distance space.
Road rage – tailgating another driver in anger or speeding past another driver only to pull in front of them and brake; these road “ragers” cause many needless car accidents each year.
What should you do if you have an accident?
If you have an accident immediately afterward, you should stop the car as soon as possible, turn off your engine and switch on your hazards. Check for injuries to yourself and any passengers you might have. If it’s only a minor accident and there are no injuries, make a note of this if other people later try to claim for an injury.
You’ll then need to call the police and an ambulance if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. Remember to stay as calm as possible. Take a few deep breaths, and don’t lose your cool. You should exchange your motoring details, including your name, address, and insurance details, with everyone involved. If you’re able to, try and record as much information as possible, including witnesses, makes, models, colors, and number plates of all involved and the time and date of the crash. You’ll also want to notify your insurance company too.
What are the first steps if you need to claim compensation?
If you have an injury and need to claim compensation, specialist claims companies are there to offer you advice, services, and support. No matter how minor or major your injury may be, claims businesses are there to tell you whether or not you have a case and will also help you through the process, including providing aftercare support.
Accidents can be life changing but often preventable. By understanding what the leading causes are, you’ll be in a better position to mitigate risks in the future.
