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Crashes happen, but there are steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
In 2023, an estimated 40,990 people were killed in car accidents,1 and many more were injured, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The majority of collisions involved two or more cars, but about 20 percent were with a fixed object.2
Though driving comes with inherent risk, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others. Below, we’ll cover some common accident scenarios and how to avoid them. With the right attitude and skills, you can keep yourself and others safe while out on the road.
Here are six of the most common types of road collision, as well as how to protect yourself in each scenario.
A frustrating-yet-common scenario is returning to your vehicle in a parking lot, only to find it has been damaged by another driver. But there are steps you can take to protect your vehicle even when you’re not in the driver’s seat, as well as others’ vehicles if you are driving.
Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. They are common, accounting for 40 percent of all collisions in the U.S. in 2022.2 These types of accidents are most often caused by excessive speed or distracted driving. Here are some ways to help you avoid rear-end collisions:
Keep at least three seconds’ worth of distance between you and the car in front of you. Here’s how it works. Choose a fixed point, like a tree or a sign, and count out three seconds. If you pass the fixed point before reaching three seconds, slow down to allow more follow distance. In poor conditions, increase your distance to six seconds.
Intersections can pose challenges because there are many things to keep track of. Turning traffic, cyclists and pedestrians all come together at intersections. It’s important to stay especially alert and follow these best practices to stay safe:
Be aware that large vehicles, such as buses and trucks, have limitations, including longer stopping distances and blind spots. Drivers should take extra care when they encounter buses or commercial vehicles. You can take these steps when sharing the road with a large vehicle:
You may witness other drivers behaving irresponsibly or recklessly on the road. It can be upsetting and frustrating to see other drivers put themselves and others at risk. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Never operate a vehicle if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit. The limit is 0.08 in every state except Utah, where it is 0.05. Most states have zero tolerance laws for drivers under age 21, which lower the limit to between 0.00 and 0.02. The number of drinks it takes someone to reach a BAC of 0.08 depends on several factors, including the person’s sex and weight. Be sure to designate a sober driver, or use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft. Learn more about rates of drunk driving in the U.S.
Single-vehicle accidents may happen when someone hits road debris or animals, or drives off the road. Take these steps to help prevent these kinds of accidents:
Regardless of where you’re driving, there are some best practices you can follow to help avoid the most common car crash scenarios.
Collisions may involve parked cars, intersections, negligent or impaired drivers, and other factors. No matter the type of crash, however, staying alert and aware of your surroundings, obeying all traffic laws, driving defensively, and keeping a safe and calm attitude will help keep you and other drivers safe on the road. We’ve also compiled a list of defensive driving courses by state.
If you do end up in an accident, the right auto insurance can protect you against the high costs of vehicle repairs and medical bills.
There are several simple steps you can take to minimize your chances of getting into an accident. These include being aware of your surroundings, avoiding late-night driving, limiting the number of passengers, and never driving while drowsy or distracted.
Three common ways a collision occurs are if the car in front of you stops suddenly (resulting in a rear-end collision), a driver runs a red light at an intersection, or someone suddenly changes lanes in an unsafe way.
According to the National Safety Council, the most common type of accident with two vehicles involved is a rear-end collision. The second most common type of car accident is an angle collision, which includes merging.3
One of the most important steps you can take to avoid an accident is to be aware of your surroundings. This includes paying attention to other drivers, the posted legal speed limit, and weather conditions. Keeping yourself engaged and alert at all times will go a long way in protecting you from car accidents.
Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2023. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2024, Apr).
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813561
Time of Day and Demographic Perspective Of Fatal Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Crashes. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2011, Aug).
https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/811523.pdf
Type of Crash. National Safety Council. (2024).
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/type-of-crash/