5 Common Road Accidents and How to Prevent Them

From property damage to bodily injury, you never know what to expect when you’re on the road. Whether you’re in the United States or Australia, it’s important to always drive defensively. Not only will it help you avoid a hefty car insurance deductible, but sometimes your collision coverage won’t protect you from every type of road accident. Luckily, there are several ways to adjust your behavior behind the wheel to ensure you’re in line with state law and preventing common road accidents.

Vehicular fatalities

It’s important to start off on a serious note. Vehicular fatalities are all too prevalent in the United States and Australia and are a common felony or misdemeanor, depending on the court ruling. This means facing jail time, navigating parole and probation, and difficulty with future employment as a result of this type of crime. A felony conviction can seriously upend your life. That’s to say little about the pain, suffering, and medical expenses the other party will have to endure. Prevention is all about following five key rules. No speeding, no driving under the influence (DUI), no driving tired, no distractions, and always wear a seatbelt. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re doing your best to avoid a fatal accident, one of the most common felonies.

Intersection collisions

While these seem minor in comparison, even minor accidents are accidents. Intersection collisions happen far too often. Frequently, your auto insurance coverage can easily find you in the wrong if you’re the cause of the accident. This means fines, limits on your coverage options for your auto policy, and marks on your driving record. Especially if you travel a lot for work, it’s in your best interest to be attentive to avoid this minor accident, which can have serious repercussions. Avoid checking your phone at stoplights and even when your car is at a standstill, pay close attention to the road around you.

Single-vehicle collisions

This is where property damage and bodily injury factor quite heavily. The distinction between multi-vehicle and single-vehicle collisions is pretty simple. While this isn’t often a serious offense, it can still have an impact on your car insurance quote and prevent you from securing a lower premium. Plus, there’s restitution for the damages you’ve caused and, depending on the severity of the crime and the vandalism it causes, you could find yourself with a more serious charge. In some instances, your car will be a total loss and your car insurance premium will skyrocket. A great way to avoid this is by not overcorrecting if you sense you’re losing control. Also, avoid slamming on the breaks.

Rear-ending

This is, without a doubt, the most common accident type. Unless there’s a severe injury and a criminal conviction involved, this often doesn’t even register as a petty crime or misdemeanor charge. Depending on how much coverage you have, your auto insurance policy frequently negotiates damages to both vehicles, whether they’re new cars or not. If a police officer is brought to the scene, you may find yourself an offender if you are the clear cause of any bodily or physical damage. Avoid rear-ending collisions by maintaining a safe distance between vehicles in front of you at all times.

Side-impact collisions

These collisions are also commonly referred to as “T-bone” accidents where one vehicle strikes the side of another. Insurance coverage will vary in these collisions depending on fault. Perhaps you ran a red light. Maybe another driver was speeding through a changing stoplight. These can often result in a criminal conviction depending on your jurisdiction and the distinction of the damages. Especially if you’re struck by someone without motorist coverage and your plan doesn’t provide uninsured motorist coverage, you could find yourself with some hefty fines. Your best bet is to wait several seconds after a light changes and double-check cross traffic.

Navigating an auto insurance quote and learning about car insurance exclusions and discounts can be complex, especially if it’s your first time purchasing from a car insurance company. For more assistance, compare car insurance with iSelect.

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