Fender benders happen. And, it turns out, many of them happen the same way.
While it’s always essential to take precautions behind the wheel, being extra aware of these common collisions could help you avoid them in the first place.
So here’s a breakdown of four of the most common types of collisions, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with driving tips to help you steer clear of trouble while out on the road.
Front-Impact Collisions
What They Are
Front-impact collisions—when the front end of a vehicle hits another vehicle or something on the side of the road, like a tree or telephone pole—accounted for 57 percent of serious crashes in 2019, according to the IIHS.
How To Avoid Them
Front-impact crashes are often caused by slippery roads or other weather-related factors, so it’s important to adjust your driving to fit the conditions, says Russ Rader, IIHS’s senior vice president of communications. Translation: Drive slower in rain and snow, to give yourself more time to react if your car suddenly loses control. And avoid anything that could divert your attention from the road. “Stay off the cell phone, of course, but fiddling with the radio or even talking to a passenger can be a distraction,” says Rader. “Remain focused on the task at hand.” (See more surprising causes of distracted driving.)
Lane-keeping systems also help reduce the frequency of front-impact collisions, according to the IIHS. This feature alerts the driver or even automatically steers a car if it ventures outside of its lane.
Side-Impact Collisions
What They Are
Side-impact collisions can be either a classic “T-bone” or a sideswipe. The former often occurs at intersections, usually as the result of some sort of confusion regarding which vehicle has the right of way. Sideswipes usually involve a side impact between cars driving parallel to one another in different lanes. According to the IIHS, 23 percent of serious crashes in 2019 were side-impact ones.
How To Avoid Them
Time-tested defensive-driving techniques can go a long way toward reducing your risk. To guard against the classic “T-bone,” be extra vigilant, and always look both ways at stop signs and stoplights—don’t speed to try to catch the yellow light. “When you’re late, you’re more likely to push it and run a red light,” says Rader. To help avoid a sideswipe, always check your blind spot before changing lanes and, when passing cars, be alert for other drivers changing lanes unexpectedly.
Rear-End Collisions
What They Are
Motorists are prone to rear-end collisions in heavy commuter traffic on highways and thoroughfares. The most common causes are driving too fast or too aggressively, or failing to leave sufficient space between you and the vehicle in front of you, according to Rader.
How To Avoid Them
Watch your speed and give yourself plenty of distance, in case the driver ahead suddenly slams on the brakes. To avoid being rear-ended by tailgaters, slow down, move to the right lane if it’s safe to do so, and calmly let them pass. Today’s automatic braking technology can also help keep you safe. Forward-collision warning systems—which provide audible tones or visual alerts to help the driver swerve or brake before a collision occurs—can reduce rear-impact crashes.
Parking Lot Collisions
What They Are
Dented bumpers are all too common in busy parking lots. They may happen when a car is backing out of a parking spot or where there are multiple cars moving in different directions.
How To Avoid Them
“In parking lots, it can be really difficult to see around you—especially when backing up,” says Rader. His advice: Take a moment to check out your surroundings before getting in the car to pull out of a parking space. If you can, park in a spot farther away from other cars. And if your vehicle has a rearview camera, that’s great—but don’t rely on technology alone to keep your ride scratch-free. “The image on the screen can be distorted by bright sunlight or shadows,” says Rader. “Always use your mirrors as well.”
If you’re ever in an accident (and we hope you never will be), you can have peace of mind knowing your GEICO auto insurance makes the claim process as smooth and painless as possible. You can report and track your claim online, over the phone or via the GEICO Mobile app—whichever is easiest for you. Plus, find out how GEICO’s convenient Auto Repair Xpress® program makes the process as simple as 1, 2, 3!
Read More: Lane-keeping and automatic braking aren’t the only safety innovations. Check out these 5 hi-tech safety features that could soon be standard.
By Rod O’Connor
Donald L Wells says,
thanks
Susan farrell says,
Rear end collistions are no longer the standard spacing
I noticed the last few years- people will go in your safwtly space – normal folks would not do this
Weird 99 percent of drivers will assume you are to yes to cars coming into the freeway
Crazy
Joseph Codner says,
Defense Driving the only way to DRIVE a Vehicle
David Sohmer says,
Yes. I keep my ego at home and my only goal when driving is to get there without an accident. If everyone drove defensively, the insurance rates and collision rates would be next to nothing!
Peter M Pignataro says,
Thank You, we must all drive defensive!
Dee Dee says,
I am terrible when it comes to parallel parking what is the easiest way to do it
Editor says,
This might help: https://www.geico.com/more/driving/auto/car-safety-insurance/how-to-parallel-park-like-a-pro/
🙂
Lovinia Ifill says,
Lovinia Ifill
I Thank you! I will keep all of this in mind.
Lee says,
This has been very helpful, I am using all these tips to become a safe driver.
Thanks Geico
gloria halm says,
My pet peeve is that drivers do not signal their intentions; i.e. use your signal devise. Still take caution.
About parking so that you can drive straight out, people are not happy when they are trying to park and a car is taking their place.
Sheila DePalma-Robinson says,
In a parking lot the best way to avoid an accident is to pull through the parking space, if possible, or back into the space so you have a full view of on-coming traffic
Kumcha Bordonaro says,
4 Common Collisions And How To Avoid Them.
This is good reminder for every drivers out on the road. I my self was in few backing out accident, now, I try to park the car in parking lot back in first, so when I am ready to leave parking lot I will have clear view for either direction.
Pauline Joy Fiddler says,
Was very informative
Julius O Meadows says,
good advice. consider adding this for safety in the parking lot. park so you can drive straight out without backing. eliminates the possibility of backing out into someone, especially those who travel really fast in parking lots.
Clague Bruening says,
I made a similar comment before reading through the comments. There are several comments like this. GEICO should revise their tips. Rear view cameras are very useful when backing in, not so much backing out.
Nella Ambroise says,
This is really nice to let us read again these 4 common accidents we can avoid .5 stars for u GEICO.
Carolyn Harlow says,
These suggestions are nice, but you should really tell people how to avoid crashes due to running off the road and then overcorrecting. I believe there are a lot of accidents due to this, including my son’s experience when he was a teenager. Not knowing what to do when you run off the right side of the road can lead to swerving back onto the road and going into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Editor says,
That’s a very good suggestion. We’ll definitely look into some options for creating content around that scenario. Thanks!
chris sutton says,
…for an “insurance co.” (bank), you forgot lane change accidents, due to blind spots, darkness, or unlighted vehicle in other lane….
…one can look in mirrors, turn and look, turn back, and someone will have moved to lane into which you intend change…in few seconds.
Barry Bloom says,
Be courteous, take your time, don’t be in a rush. It may not save you time, but it will prevent dents and heart issues. Especially when you trying to get somewhere in a rush. You really don’t save enough time. So, leave early and relax.