Collisions: Types and how to avoid them

Collisions: Types and how to avoid them  27th February 2023

Accidents, unfortunately, happen far too frequently. They cause vehicle owners to pay for auto repairs, treating injuries, and increased insurance premiums when accidents occur. A small error might lead your car to be totaled in an instant. Purchasing a policy from a reliable motor insurance company in India secures you and your vehicle from various hazards and damages that could cause financial losses.

We repeatedly observe the same trends that lead to collision incidents. To decode this most common issue, we're presenting the most typical crash types and accident-prevention advice to make the roads safer.

1. Front-impact collisions:
When the front of your vehicle collides with another car or object, it is called a front-impact accident, accounting for 54% of all auto accidents. It can result from wrong-lane driving or a poor indication by the approaching vehicle from the front, especially while making turns.

How to avoid them:
Modify your driving according to the circumstances, such as slick roads or other weather-related issues. Give yourself more time to react and take control by driving more slowly in the rain and using indicators while taking turns. Keep your focus on the road and avoid any distractions.

2. Rear-end collisions:
Heavy commuter traffic on roads and thoroughfares, over-speeding, aggressive driving, and leaving insufficient room for the car in front of you are the common causes of rear-end collisions.

How to avoid them:
Driver distraction accounts for 89% of rear-end collisions. Avoid being distracted by putting the phone down, even in driving mode, and adjusting your audio. Additionally, stay aware of your surroundings and avoid tailgating by not maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

3. Parked-car collisions:
In crowded parking lots, bumper dents are all too typical. They occur when several vehicles travel in various directions or while reversing out of a parking space.

How to avoid them:
Parking lots can make viewing your surroundings challenging, especially when reversing. Before leaving a parking space, survey the area and use your rear-view mirror effectively. Park a bit further away from other vehicles.

4. Side-impact collisions:
Side impacts between cars travelling in different lanes parallel to one another are the norm in cases of sideswipes. This kind of accident accounts for 27% of fatal passenger crashes.

How to avoid them:
Refrain from speeding to beat the yellow light. Instead, be extra cautious and always check both ways at stop signs and traffic lights. Check your blind spot before changing lanes, and watch for sudden lane changes from other motorists.

5. Hydroplaning collisions:
Since the tyres can't touch the pavement when you hydroplane, you have little control over the direction of the automobile, which almost definitely results in a collision. More than 10% of car fatalities yearly are related to wet roadways.

How to avoid them:
Stop accelerating, and don't stamp your foot on the brakes if your car does hydroplane. Instead, keep the pressure constant and let the automobile slow down. Make sure the tread on your tyres isn't too worn out. When driving through significant road puddles, proceed slowly.

Although there are many steps you may take to lessen the risk of accidents, theft, injuries, or damage to your car, it's not always possible to avoid the unexpected. In road accidents, collisions are a significant factor in injury and fatalities. We recommend purchasing a comprehensive auto insurance policy from a trusted motor insurance company in India. This will protect you and your vehicle against various damages and provide monetary compensation for expenses resulting from theft, fire, natural disasters, third-party liabilities, accidents, and other tragedies.

Click HERE to learn more about the policies offered by the best motor insurance company in India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.