Common Causes of Auto Accidents

If you or a loved one is injured in an auto accident, then you need an experienced San Antonio auto accident attorney representing you. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages to your vehicle and any injuries you sustained.

Car accidents are a common occurrence, but that doesn’t make them any less traumatic. Below, our Brylak Law San Antonio auto accident attorneys discuss the most common type of accidents and what you can do to avoid them.

Hitting a Parked Car

When you are parking your vehicle, be sure you know how much space you need, so that you can pull your car in without hitting the vehicle next to it.  In addition, do not park too close to others, so that they have ample room to get out of their spot without hitting your car. As a general rule, if you have a hard time getting into a spot, the other drivers around you will have a hard time getting out.

Hitting an Animal

Hitting an animal can cause some serious damage to your vehicle, depending on the size of the animal. It is best to be cautious when you see signs warning of animal crossings, use your high beams in rural areas at night, and follow the speed limit so that you have ample time to stop in case an animal does appear.

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning can happen when you go through a large puddle or pool of standing water at too high a rate of speed. Your tires will not able to push the water out quickly enough, resulting in a thin layer of water remaining between your tires and the road.  Because your tires are not in contact with the road, you can easily lose control of the vehicle. Be sure you know what to do in a hydroplaning situation. Hitting the brakes will actually make it worse. Instead, let your foot off the gas and slowly apply pressure to the brakes. As the car slows, the tires should have an easier time making a connection with the road again.

Rear-End Accidents

Statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration show that nearly 30% of all accidents are rear-end collisions. These accidents often are caused by distracted driving. The best thing you can do to avoid these accidents is to try to remove all obvious distractions. Don’t play with the radio or eat while driving.  Put your cellphone away, and put your focus on the road in front of you.

Side-Impact Collisions

These types of collisions are also commonly called “T-bone” crashes. They happen when one driver does not stop and collides into another who has the right of way. These are one of the more dangerous types of accidents because the sides of most vehicles are not designed to withstand energy from a crash like that and sufficiently shield the passengers. The best way to avoid these types of collisions is to follow the rules of the road. Even when you have the right of way, look both ways before you enter an intersection to make sure that no other vehicle is coming. Be aware of all stop signs and red lights, and make sure that you come to a full and complete stop. Follow all speed limits. In addition, many cars now come standard with side airbags that will protect your head. Crash tests have shown that these side airbags can help prevent death in the event of a side-impact collision.

Schedule a Consultation with a Brylak Law Personal Injury Attorney in San Antonio

Being injured in an accident can be traumatic and leave you feeling confused as to what to do next. With the guidance of our experienced personal injury attorneys in San Antonio, you can get through the process as seamlessly as possible. Call us today today to schedule for your free consultation.