The mission of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is to “investigate safety defects in motor vehicles, sets and enforces fuel economy standards, helps states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers, promotes the use of safety belts, child safety seats, and airbags, investigates odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations, conducts research on driver behavior and traffic safety, and provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics.” It also collects important crash statistics. According to that data, the NHTSA finds that 94% of all vehicles are caused by human error. That makes them preventable.
Here are some of the most common types of car accidents and ways they can be prevented:
Intersection Collisions
The Federal Highway Administration finds that 50% of all fatal and injury crashes happen at intersections. These collisions are a classic example of preventable human error because they’re all about failing to observe the right-of-way. When drivers make mistakes at intersections, whether they’re failing to stop at a stop sign or failing to yield the right-of-way to other drivers, an accident may result.
Sideswipes
Sideswipe accidents happen when cars collide with each other on their left or right sides. These accidents are also preventable if drivers take a proactive approach to switching lanes, moving out of parking spots, or merging onto the highway. For example, you first need to signal your intention when changing lanes. It is then important to let approaching cars pass you, so you have enough space to make the switch.
The wrong assumption is that the other driver will slow down and let you in just because you have your signal on. You should always think that the other driver doesn’t know your intentions. That is why you need a clear space to make the switch.
On the other hand, if you see a car up ahead with its turn signal on and want to switch lanes, you should slow down to give it that space. Speeding up to get past them could contribute to an accident.
Pedestrian and Animal Collisions
The NHTSA finds that a pedestrian is killed every 71 minutes. A pedestrian is injured every 9 minutes. Of those fatalities, only 16% occurred at intersections, while 75% happened at locations that were not intersections. Additionally, 77% of the total number of pedestrian fatalities occur at night.
These accidents are usually preventable. There is a shared responsibility for pedestrians to be aware of approaching traffic and for motorists to be on alert for pedestrians and children, especially in congested areas.
Animal collisions are preventable because drivers must be alert to the potential of animals running out in front of a car. That also means paying attention to animal crossing signs in rural areas.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the easiest types of accidents to prevent. The National Safety Council finds that speeding was a factor in 29% of all fatalities in 2022. Typically, someone speeds under the misconception that they need to reach their destination quicker. In reality, the risk of being late is not as bad as being in an accident. Someone with repeated speeding violations should consider giving themselves more time to get where they’re going.
Mechanical Failure
Mechanical failure accidents, such as brake failure or blown tires, are also considered preventable. It is the responsibility of every driver to keep up with their vehicle maintenance to ensure they don’t have any mechanical failures on the road.
Why Determining Preventable or Non-preventable Accidents Matters
A non-preventable accident is a collision that happens in spite of a driver’s best efforts to avoid it. For instance, if you are hit by a driver who is speeding or runs a red light, there is nothing you could have done to prevent that accident. Determining if an accident was preventable can also determine who was at fault in the accident. This is one of the first issues that you’ll discuss with McCoy & Hiestand.
We are a team of skilled attorneys with years of combined experience helping clients involved in all types of car accidents in Kentucky. If you’ve been the victim of an accident, you should set up a free consultation with our office to discuss your options for the next move. Call to schedule that talk today.
