Unfortunately, car accidents happen every day, and many of them we have no control over. For example, an average of about 1,235,145 out of 5,891,000 motor vehicle accidents are related to hazardous weather. Extreme weather is unavoidable, but you are responsible for fixing any damage it may cause to your car. In addition, accidents often have a direct impact on your finances, even when you have auto insurance. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of accidents and protect your vehicle.
Park Your Car Safely
When we park our car somewhere and then walk away from it, we have no control over what happens while we are gone. However, there are some tips to consider when parking your car. This includes parking your car further away from the building and avoiding the busier parking spots.
Park your car in the middle of the parking spot to give yourself the most room all around your vehicle. If you park on the street, stay away from bust intersections or tight turns. If you have a garage, park in it.
Avoid Damage to the Windshield
One of the most common types of accidents when it comes to cars is windshield damage. Most often, this occurs when you are driving down the highway and rocks or stones are kicked into the air by other vehicles. Sometimes these materials fall off of construction vehicles. The best way to protect your car from this type of damage is to keep a good distance between yourself and other vehicles on the road, especially if they are construction vehicles or have debris flying from them. While the dirt and gravel may seem small, they can do substantial damage to your vehicle.
Additionally, the weather can change in the blink of an eye. The National Weather Service states that, in general, hailstones that are the size of a golf ball (1.75 inches) can damage a vehicle – even the windshield. Damage to your vehicle could ultimately mean damage to your finances.
Maintain Safe Driving Habits
It may surprise you to know how many single-vehicle accidents there are every day. These include accidents with animals, rollovers, extreme weather, and road barriers. When the weather is hazardous, you should consider staying off the road until the weather clears. If you are already on the road, drive at a safe speed that allows you to remain in control. You want to be aware if the road is icy, snowy, or wet. Pay attention to the road, other cars, and everything happening around you. It only takes moments for something to change.
According to the New York State Department of Transportation, the average cost of an auto accident range depends on where the accident occurred. While most accidents fall between $30,000 to $40,000, they can cost as little as $15,000 or as much as $63,000. This is why safe driving habits are so important!
Practice Defensive Driving
If you hit someone in the back of their car, you are almost always at fault. The best way to avoid these types of accidents is to always stay alert, awake, and aware. In addition, you should maintain a safe driving distance from the car in front of you because you never know when they may have to slam on the brakes, especially in bad weather. Stay off of electronics when you are driving as well.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to avoid a good amount of accidents. In addition, if you are constantly vigilant and aware, you can limit accidents and their impact on your finances.