Your Philadelphia Auto Accident Lawyer Talks About Avoiding Common Accident Causes
Our Philadelphia auto accident lawyer, because of their professional work, is often interested in both the most common causes of accidents as well as what people can do to avoid them in the first place. While many things can cause a motor vehicle accident, there are several things that frequently result in them. Our Philadelphia car accident attorneys believe that you can minimize your risk by understanding the most common types of accidents and their causes so that you can adjust your own driving behavior accordingly.
Hydroplaning Accidents
When the road conditions are wet, many people have accidents because of a hydroplaning vehicle. Tire companies make tires that have tread designed to quickly push water away from the tires’ surfaces so that the tires remain in contact with the road. When a person drives too fast, the tread on their car’s tires may not be able to keep up with the speed of the car, causing a layer of water to build up between the tires and the surface. This can then cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle. Even trying to turn the steering wheel right or left will not prevent the hydroplaning vehicle from continuing in the direction the water is carrying them. Some people make the mistake of slamming on their brakes, but that may worsen the problem since the stationary tires will then not be pushing away any water. You can minimize your risk of hydroplaning by driving slower when it is raining or immediately after it has stopped. You should also make sure that you always have good tires with adequate tread on your car. If your vehicle does start hydroplaning, don’t slam on your brakes. Instead, take your foot off of the gas pedal and slowly apply pressure to your brake pedal to regain control.
Rear-End Accidents
Another very common and avoidable type of accident is a rear-end collision. In this accident type, a vehicle slams into the back of the one in front of it. In a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2007, the agency found that 64 percent of drivers in rear-end collisions took their eyes away from the road when the accident happened. The agency also found that 29 percent of all accidents were rear-end collisions. Activities such as talking or texting while driving, eating food, messing with your stereo or GPS while driving should thus be avoided. You should also make sure to always keep aware of the traffic ahead of you and to keep your eyes on the road.
Side-Impact Crashes
Side-impact crashes have the potential to kill passengers riding in the vehicles that are hit. The sides of vehicles do not have the same amount of surface needed to better absorb the physical forces released in the crashes. One common type of side-impact collision is known as a T-bone accident. In these accidents, a driver fails to stop and then collides with a vehicle that had the right-of-way. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 27 percent of car accident fatalities occurring in 2009 happened because of side-impact crashes. In order to lessen your risk of having one of these accident types, there are several things Philadelphia car accident attorneys would advise you to do. First, it is important to always adhere to the posted speed limit so that you are able to stop in time at a red light or a stop sign. It goes without saying that you should always stop at such traffic signals and never run them. In cases in which you are approaching an intersection and have the right-of-way, you should still look both ways to make certain someone else is not approaching too quickly to stop for their own sign or signal.
Crashing into Parked Vehicles
It is possible for you to be involved in an accident while you are parked, and it is also possible for you to cause one while you are parking. In some cases, a passing driver fails to pay attention and strikes cars parked along the side of the road. You can help to prevent these types of accidents by remaining aware of the cars parked along the routes you are driving. When parking, it is also important to note the size of the space as compared to the size of your own vehicle so that you can use that information along with your mirrors and cameras when reversing into the space. You should also try to not park too closely behind another parked vehicle, as the driver might accidentally hit your car when they try to leave.
Hitting Animals
Animals can suddenly dart out on the road, causing serious accidents. The best way you can avoid this from happening is to first make certain not to speed through areas marked with animal crossing signs. Pay attention to the sides of the road and be prepared to slow if an animal suddenly runs out. At night when you are driving through rural areas, always use your bright headlights. If you do have an injury accident caused by someone else, you may need the help of an attorney. An attorney may be able to collect a recovery that fairly and justly compensates you.
Contact a Philadelphia Auto Accident Lawyer
To schedule a consultation with a Philadelphia auto accident lawyer at Caiazzo Law, call us.