What are my risks of getting involved in a car crash?

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How likely am I to get into a vehicle crash? Ask the insurance industry. According to

Forbes magazine, car insurance research reports that if you’re an average driver, you will become involved in a car crash approximately once every 17.9 years. That means that “f you got your license at age 16, the odds are quite good that you’ll experience some kind of crash by the time you’re 34, at the latest.” In a typical long lifetime of driving, you are likely to have three or four crashes.

 

The good news is that you most likely won’t be killed. According to the National Safety Council, statistic from 2009 indicated that there are approximately 10 million minor to major crashes each year, but only three in 1,000 result in fatalities.

 

A lot depends on your own knowledge and adherence to safe driving practices. You probably know the chief risks:

  1. Distracted driving, the number one cause of vehicle crashes
  2. Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  3. Driving while very tired or ill
  4. Aggressive driving
  5. Bad driving habits learned under extreme conditions, e.g., combat for veterans of wars

 

These are the factors you can control. You can’t control the other drivers on the road. Be careful to observe what’s going on around your vehicle, and practice “defensive driving.” A very effective defense can be as simple as pulling over for several minutes to let the driver who seems aggressive or erratic pass you by a safe distance.

 

Here are some “Editors’ Tips” from edmunds.com for drivers to avoid getting involved in vehicle crashes:

  1. Avoid the “fast lane.” The center or right lanes offer more “escape routes” in case a problem arises.
  2. Keep your eyes scanning the area ahead, and the traffic in front of the car in front of you.
  3. Beware of blind spots. Be sure to adjust your side and rear view mirrors correctly, but don’t rely on them exclusively. Turn to look behind you, and think of your and other drivers’ blind spots.
  4. For superior control drive with your hands in the 9 and 3 o’clock position.
  5. Judge a driver by his/her car’s condition. A banged-up car indicates a careless driver.
  6. Keep your car in good shape.
  7. Drive extra carefully at night, and always replace burned-out headlights and taillights.

 

 

Richard Manger, principal of Manger Law Firm, has extensive experience in litigation and settlements, with a focus on personal injury and workers’ compensation law. We are proud of the strong relationships of loyalty and trust we develop with our clients. We go above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. You can contact Richard Manger via email at ram@mangerlaw.com, or by calling (336) 882-2000.

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