Driving is the ultimate test of teamwork. No matter how good you are at it, you are up against the free will of many other drivers.
When those other drivers act carelessly, you may be at risk of a collision. We’ll be discussing broadside collisions today, so keep reading to learn what they look like and how to avoid them.
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What are Broadside Collisions?
Broadside car collisions, commonly known as T-bone collisions, are accidents where the side of one car is hit by the front or back of another vehicle, making a T-shape.
Broadside collisions are most often found to occur in intersections and are usually the fault of a distracted or negligent driver. Often, these crashes cannot be avoided by the time the offending car appears in the sight of the other driver.
These types of collisions can cause serious injury, especially to the passengers sitting on the affected side. These injuries might result in a need to hire an auto accident lawyer. You can learn here what types of injuries most commonly require an attorney.
Where Do Broadside Collisions Occur?
Broadside collisions can happen anywhere, however, so it is important to do your part and stay focused while driving.
As mentioned before, most broadside collisions occur in intersections. In fact, intersections are referred to as “planned points of conflict” by the Federal Highway Administration.
How to Avoid a Broadside Collision
No matter how laser-focused you may be while driving, there is no way to control other drivers.
At the same time, there is always the potential for user error. According to the FWHA, 40% of all traffic accident-related injuries and 20% of all traffic accident-related deaths occur at intersections.
With that being said, there are some tips you can follow to help you avoid broadside collisions:
Be Patient
If you are making an unprotected turn across traffic, wait until the coast is completely clear. If you are making a protected turn at a light, wait 2-3 seconds before moving into the intersection to allow for any distracted drivers who may run the red light.
Stay Aware
Do not text or do anything that can distract you while driving. Only use your phone when your car is parked. That text can wait!
Don’t Speed
Speeding increases the odds that a driver will cause a collision. Even if you’re not the one who caused the collisions, higher speeds from either party can cause harsher injuries in the collision.
Wait For The Next Light
While it may seem tempting to ride the yellow light through the intersection, it is best to stop at them (even if you swear you can make it!) This ensures that there is enough time between the red light stopping drivers and the green light letting drivers through.
Know Your Options
Not all broadside collisions are avoidable, but between using the tips listed above and knowing where to find an auto accident lawyer, you can relieve a few of the headaches.
Looking for more tips and news about the things you do every day? Check out our website! We cover a large range of topics, so you’re bound to learn something new.
