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Most Common Car Collisions And How to Avoid

The most common type of car accidents are rear-end collisions and angle collisions. At Freedom Collision Center, we’ve put together a guide on these two types of collisions and how you can avoid them while driving.

What is an Angle Collision?

An angle collision is where one vehicle strikes another vehicle at an angle between 90 degrees, which is called a side-impact collision, and 180 degrees, which is called a rear-end collision.

According to 2017 data from the Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), angle crashes account for 26% of injury-causing crashes. The NHTSA also reports that angle-crashes account for 18.6% of crash fatalities.

Angle crashes tend to occur at intersections, highways, and interstates. They also commonly occur in neighborhoods.

What Causes an Angle Collision?

This type of collision commonly occurs due to a driver running a red light, running a stop sign, or disregarding a yield sign. They can also occur when a driver changes lanes without looking and can causes a total loss if damage is bad enough.

What is a Rear-End Collision?

A rear-end collision occurs when the front bumper of one vehicle crashes into the rear-end of another. Based on the 2017 data from NHTSA, rear-end collisions account for 33% of injury-causing crashes. They also report that 7% of fatal crashes are caused by rear-end collisions.

Rear-end collisions can occur when the driver in front makes a sudden stop or if the driver in the back is not paying attention to the stopped vehicle in the front.

How Can I Avoid a Collision?

To avoid collisions, we recommend that you:

• Keep a safe distance. Make sure you are driving far enough behind the vehicle in front of you that you have time to stop safely.
• Stay focused. Keep your eyes on the road. Avoid texting, eating, or looking for a dropped item while driving. It only takes seconds for an accident to occur.
• Don’t drive when sleepy or under the influence. If you’re sleepy or impaired by drugs or alcohol, you are more likely to make errors that can lead to a collision.
• Practice defensive driving. Take the time to check the intersection for oncoming traffic, even if you have the green light, and be cautious when approaching a yellow light.
• Avoid speeding. When speeding, you are putting yourself at risk of a collision. One-third of all vehicle fatalities are caused by speeding.

In a Collision? Freedom Collision Center Can Help!

Our team of highly trained technicians has the tools and knowledge needed to repair your vehicle so you can safely get back out on the road. Contact us today to learn more!