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Is having a car crash inevitable?

On Behalf of | Oct 15, 2024 | Car Accidents

Most drivers will have at least one vehicle collision in their lifetime. A survey by Esurance found that 77% of people will eventually have a wreck.

Does this mean that you should just resign yourself to having a collision? Or can you do things to increase the chance that you are the exception to the rule?

Crashing is not inevitable

Of course, crashing is not inevitable. However high the chance is, there will always be some people who avoid them, just as there will be other drivers who have far more crashes than others.

The following can all help reduce your odds of a crash, both on a day-to-day basis and throughout your life:

  • Slow down: While you should not go overly slow, reducing your speed a little can improve your chances of getting to your destination intact. Reducing your speed buys you more time to notice dangers and react to them in time.
  • Drive defensively: To drive defensively means to assume that other drivers will make mistakes that could endanger you. It is also to acknowledge that you, too, will make mistakes. Defensive driving is about giving yourself a better chance of avoiding nasty consequences of your or other people’s lack of judgment. For example, taking that corner a bit more slowly, just in case the overnight frost has left a patch of ice. Or expecting that the driver to your side might be about to miss their turn-off and cut across you without notice.
  • Only drive when you feel capable: If you have been drinking, it is safest not to drive. If you have taken medication that leaves you drowsy, it is safest not to drive. The same goes for so many things, from being really tired to feeling stressed out due to your kids bickering all morning. Sometimes it is better to let someone else drive, walk or take public transport or just postpone the trip.

Doing the above can reduce the odds of a collision but cannot rule it out altogether. Sometimes, claiming compensation may still be a necessity due to another driver’s negligence.

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