Single Car Accidents: Deadly and Avoidable
For a lot of motorists, the head-on collision and getting hit on the side by a high-speed vehicle are the scariest of car crashes. Few people pay much thought to single car accidents, yet they’re among the most common and deadliest of crashes. When a car collides with another, much of the energy gets absorbed by the crumple zones of both cars. Still more energy is absorbed by the cars’ movements after the collision. Energy absorbed elsewhere means less destructive energy gets absorbed by the occupants of the cars.
By contrast, single car collisions often occur with immovable objects such as trees and telephone poles. In such an accident, the car absorbs more energy because the object has very little “give.” This is the reason for the expression “wrapped around a tree.” When a car goes off the road, the accident is often deadly. Cars can do roll-overs down embankments or hit multiple obstacles.
Another consequence of single car accidents is that the driver is often found at fault. This is because single car accidents happen when the driver loses control of his vehicle. The accident then becomes a black mark against the motorist’s driving record and can increase his or her car insurance premiums.
The Causes of Single Car Accidents
Mechanical problems are one reason people lose control of their vehicle. Poor maintenance can cause a tire to blow out, brakes to fail or steering to break down. Therefore, motorists must stay on top of their car maintenance. Stick with the suggested maintenance schedule of your car and do immediate repairs at the first hint of mechanical trouble.
Another reason for losing control of a car is poor driving on the part of the motorist. While there are many reasons for poor driving, the most common of these is impaired judgment. Never drive when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that affect your reaction time and judgment. Impaired judgment is also caused by fatigue. Fatigue has similar effects on your driving as alcohol. Always drive well rested and take frequent rest breaks on longer trips. Avoid lengthy driving at night.
One very common type of fatigue accident happens when a car drifts on to the shoulder of the road. When the change in tire noise alerts the driver, a common reaction is to jerk the car back on to the road. If this is done too violently, a rollover can occur. The correct response is to let off the gas, keep the car going parallel to the road, and then ease it back on to the road. Avoid hard braking and don’t use your brakes while turning.
The good news is that single car accidents are avoidable because you have complete control. You control the operating condition of your car and your own driving skills and habits. The avoidance of car accidents of any kind are always in your best interest in terms of your safety, your car and your car insurance premiums.
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