6 Things to Think About Regarding Car Accidents: Car accidents are one of the most traumatizing experiences in many people’s lives, and depending on the severity of it, it can have long-term effects. Before we go over shocking facts about wrecks, we want to address what you should do when you get involved with a fender bender on the road.
6 Things to Think About Regarding Car Accidents
Table of Contents
How To Handle A Car Accident
- At The Scene
Do not drive away, no matter how small the accident appears. If you flee the scene, you will automatically seem guilty. You can prevent further damage by pulling to the side of the road and having your headlights on if it is dark.
- File A Report With the Police
Call the police so that they can file the report for your insurance company. Seek medical attention even if you feel that you are not injury. Any physical pain may not be apparent until hours or even days after the accident. If you can, take pictures of any visible damage to the vehicle or on yourself.
Exchange name, address, phone number, and insurance information of all persons involved. If the police are investigating, they usually do it for you and provide all drivers with a police report number.
- Make A Claim
Keep all of the information and documents related to the accident in one file. It should include everything connected to the claim, and any receipts of expenses made as a result of the incident.
According to Diamond and Diamond Lawyer’s website, one of the most common challenges for those injured in a vehicle accident is dealing with insurance claims. Talk to an attorney before giving your statement to the insurance companies – they are there to ensure that you receive the best treatment and compensation possible.
Most Common Times Accidents Occur
Car accidents are most likely to happen during the hours that have the most vehicles on the road. A report done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that most wrecks occur during the standard rush hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The second most frequent hours is between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Car crashes are four times more likely to happen at night due to low visibility and a higher number of drunk drivers.
Of all year, the holidays prove to be the most dangerous seasons, unless it is a tourist destination, then it is more likely to happen in the summer as well. The risk increases at the weekend, as Saturday has the most car accidents.
How Often Do Accidents Happen?
As you are reading this, approximately four car collisions with injuries have occurred. Auto accidents that cause injuries occur nearly every 14 seconds, and those with fatal injuries happen every 12 minutes.
The average number of car accidents in the U.S. is over 6 million per year, with half causing injuries. While 72% of the crashes result in property damage, 6% of the year’s statistics show fatalities.
Most Common Cause Of Accidents
While drunk driving, speeding, and reckless driving are some of the top reasons, there is a new winner on the list. The leading cause of auto accidents is distracted driving. Multitasking while driving has always existed, but now that everyone has a smartphone, drivers getting distracted by texting is more common than ever.
On the bright side, the seatbelts are working: they have cut down the risk of injury or death by 50%. Without it, people are 30 times more likely to be ejected from their vehicle.
Where are Accidents are Most Likely To Happen
You would think that the areas with the most traffic would have the most accidents, but the opposite is true. Over 50% of non-fatal fender benders occur in residential areas, around 5 miles near the driver’s home. If you calculate accidents 15 miles away from home, total accidents go up to 70%.
Who Is Most Likely To Get Into Car Accidents?
There is a reason why men are charged a higher premium: men drive 30% more miles than women and are more prone to risk-taking, aggressive driving. Despite both sexes having the same number of driver licenses, men cause almost more than double the number of accidents.
In terms of age, teens are more likely to crash than seniors. Drivers ages 16-19 are responsible for 12.2% of car accidents, while seniors over 65 cause 7.5% of incidents.
Conclusion
Since we never expect accidents to happen to us, car crashes can take us by surprise and leave us feeling shocked and unsure of what to do next. Defensive driving is the best precaution. Avoid distractions, plan your routes, and get plenty of rest so you can be safe on your next trip.
