Car accidents can happen to anyone – at any time and for a number of reasons. Accidents are something most drivers prefer not to think about. They are scary, expensive, and a huge pain – literally. Unfortunately, car accidents can happen to even the safest drivers on the road.
Before heading out on the streets, it is crucial to educate about some of the most common types of car accidents out there. Doing so may help you prevent them from happening or teach you how to respond to them appropriately when they are impossible to prevent.
Rear-End Car Accident
These accidents are the most common type of collisions across the state of Utah. These accidents often happen when drivers become distracted behind the wheel. Maybe a driver doesn’t notice the vehicle ahead stopping, or they may have been following too closely. Slippery roads also play a large role in a driver’s ability to stop in time. Most slippery road conditions render brakes inefficient to stop with short notice. Being rear-ended is quite difficult to prevent, but you can try to avoid rear-ending others by leaving an ample amount of space ahead of your vehicle while driving.
Clipping Another Vehicle During A Traffic Merge
Hitting another vehicle while merging or drifting into another lane is extremely common. These accidents are often preventable. Unfortunately, drivers often miss vehicles traveling alongside them in their blind spots and move over too quickly. It is crucial to always use your blinker and merge as early as possible to avoid causing jams or striking other vehicles. Leaving plenty of space for other vehicles to merge safely can lessen the risk of being involved in an auto accident. If you notice other drivers are not using their blinker or merging appropriately, utilize your brakes and steering to protect yourself and your vehicle.
Low-Speed Auto Collisions
These accidents are common in parking lots. Visibility becomes congested by pedestrians or other vehicles. As drivers attempt to reverse out of parking spaces, they can quickly become involved in accidents. These accidents are usually very minor in danger, but they are preventable in some circumstances.
Individuals should always go slow and remain cautious of others around them. Using brakes and headlights will ensure you see others in dark conditions or inclement weather. It is also important to use your horn to communicate your location and be aware of all angles.
Single Car Accident
Single car accidents occur daily throughout Utah. These accidents often occur when drivers drift and hit medians. Weather and other road conditions can cause vehicles to lose control of their vehicles and spin out of control. Being distracted behind the wheel is another leading cause of single car accidents.
A driver can become distracted, and then jerk their wheel, causing them to go into the ditch or off the road into a structure or bridge. The severity of single car accidents can vary greatly, depending on what, if any, other objects are involved. Being involved in a single car accident drastically limits a driver’s ability to recover compensation for injuries, but it doesn’t leave them without any resources.
There are instances where drivers can recover compensation from their own insurance policies to cover lost wages, medical bills, and other damages sustained in the accident. Working with an attorney from Siegfried & Jensen will greatly assist you to recover the maximum amount of compensation possible for your injuries and damages.
Cross-Traffic Accidents
There are several instances where drivers cross through traffic in another direction that causes problems.
These accidents occur primarily at intersections and involve negligent drivers who are often in a hurry to beat the red light. Failing to stop at stop signs or yielding to the right-of-way can result in severe injuries to drivers on the road.
Drivers can try to avoid these types of accidents by taking a few extra seconds at stop lights and signs. Look around to make sure other drivers are stopping and do not attempt to rush through narrow windows to turn. Doing so can have a devastating impact on your life and the lives of others.
The Extent Of Automobile Accidents
Not all vehicle accidents are deadly. A lot of accidents are minor, resulting in few or no injuries and minimal damages to vehicles. Unfortunately, these seemingly minor accidents have the potential to turn into dangerous situations quickly.
Driving defensively can reduce your chances of being involved in an accident. In the rare case that you find yourself involved in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver, it is crucial to call a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
No matter how minimal the accident, it is crucial to contact the police to obtain a report of the accident. These reports often assist in filing legal claims and contacting insurance companies to recover compensation for damages.
How Salt Lake City Accident Lawyers Can Help
Being involved in a car accident, no matter how minor, can be overwhelming. Individuals are often overwhelmed and anxious in dealing with the lengthy claims process. Contact an auto accident lawyer can ensure the process goes quickly and efficiently for you.
At Siegfried & Jensen, we help individuals involved in auto accidents take their case to court and recover the maximum amount of compensation available. We understand that time is of the essence. We work quickly and efficiently to ensure accident victims are able to receive adequate medical attention, recover any lost wages they may have sustained, and have their vehicles fixed in a timely fashion.
It is crucial that accident victims continue living their lives as we handle all the legal work for them. The last thing accident victims need is to stress over insurance companies and paperwork while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives.
If you are ever involved in an auto accident, contact Siegfried & Jensen at (801) 598-1218 to schedule a consultation. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve so you can get your life back on track.
Content checked by personal injury attorney Todd Bradford. I worked for a small law firm in Utah County, where I handled various types of cases. My main focus was personal injury and I decided that is what I enjoyed doing the most. I rejoined Siegfried and Jensen in 2012 where my focus is solely on helping personal injury clients. I take pride in helping personal injury clients and enjoy serving them. If you need an attorney for auto accidents or injuries of any kind in Salt Lake City, UT, Ogden, UT, Spokane, WA, or Boise, ID, contact us.