You never think you’re going to be in a car crash. Unfortunately, they happen every day—particularly when you least expect them.
Whether you’re traveling a long distance or just running around the corner to buy some milk, car accidents can happen at any time. They can be the result of human error, hazardous road conditions, or even mechanical defects.
However, there are some areas where accidents are more likely to happen. While you want to always be cautious while driving, you should exercise extra caution in these accident-prone areas.
Let’s take a look at what they are.
Your Own Neighborhood
Your neighborhood may be a safe place with minimal traffic, but that doesn’t mean an accident can’t happen when you’re just around the corner from home. In fact, car accidents are actually most likely to happen within five miles of your own home.
Drivers tend to get comfortable when they’re in their own neighborhoods. They drive faster and pay less attention to their surroundings. This can lead to more accidents.
Within your neighborhood, accidents usually are minor. They might involve backing into a driver because you weren’t paying attention when leaving your driveway, or sideswiping a parked car. While these usually aren’t as serious as a head-on collision, they can still lead to significant injuries and associated expenses.
Parking Lots
Parking lots are another area where you may not think a car accident can occur. However, with so many vehicles moving around, it’s common for cars to bump into one another. If you’re not paying close attention to who is moving around you, you may find yourself in a fender bender.
Parking lots can also be dangerous for pedestrians. In addition to cars moving throughout, people are walking to and from stores, sometimes even getting hit by drivers who back out without checking to see if anybody’s behind them.
Like accidents in your neighborhood, these collisions may seem minor. However, parking lot accidents can potentially result in expensive repair jobs, not to mention debilitating neck and back injuries.
Intersections and Traffic Lights
It may not be surprising that intersections and traffic lights are on this list. Just one careless mistake, such as a driver not paying attention and running a red light or a driver slamming on their brakes, can lead to a devastating collision.
Tricky intersections or hidden stop signs can cause additional problems. Yellow lights can cause indecision and confusion for some drivers, leading to careless mistakes and accidents. Busy streets can also contribute to more accidents.
Usually, accidents that occur at intersections can be much more serious than those in parking lots or your neighborhood. T-bone accidents are among the worst types of car accidents in terms of damages.
Rural Highways
Rural highways are more prone to car accidents than traditional highways. While there are fewer cars on the road, the likelihood that a driver will take their eye off the road or get distracted is higher.
Rural highways are also less maintained than traditional highways. Rocks may fly up and hit your windshield or your car may slip on some loose gravel, causing you to lose control of your vehicle.
With twists and turns and poorly maintained roads, it isn’t uncommon to run into a tree or have a head-on collision on a rural highway because you couldn’t see a driver coming around a bend.
In Rush Hour Traffic
When people are trying to leave work and get home, just about any street becomes prone to car accidents. During the afterwork commute, drivers are often mulling over stressful events that occurred during their workday or feeling eager to go home and relax—meaning their mind is elsewhere.
The same applies to morning traffic. When drivers are rushing to get to work on time or multi-tasking while driving, it leaves them distracted and prone to causing an accident.
Even if you’re sitting in stop-and-go traffic, accidents are likely to occur. If a driver isn’t paying attention, they may rear-end another driver. When traffic is especially tight, this can lead to a multiple-car collision.
Regardless of where your accident happened, you’ll want to ensure that it’s properly taken care of. If the accident was caused by a negligent driver, you’ll want to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
A car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need to cover medical bills, vehicle repair expenses, and other damages like pain and suffering. They can also help you collect the evidence you need to prove the accident was not your fault. While your claim is being taken care of by your car accident attorney, you can focus on your recovery.