Top 5 Most Frequent Car Accidents (PDF)

Despite the introduction of advanced driver-assistance systems and strict testing, car accidents still kill tens of thousands of people every year in the United States. The NHTSA recently released data on the most common types of car crashes in the U.S., and this is what we found. 

5. Animal Hit

Rural drivers should be cautious of animal-related car crashes. You can avoid them by keeping a watchful eye on the road and driving slowly in areas with large populations of deer. Deer are unpredictable and can run into the street without warning.

4. Parking Lot Accidents

To prevent parking lot accidents, strive to park as far away from the entrance as possible. However, if you can’t pull into a parking space without leaving enough room for your car to exit the space, find another place to park.

3. Side-Swiping

Side-swiping is when your car hits another vehicle driving right beside it, typically happening when you’re quickly changing lanes. As long as your car has those features, though, make sure you keep them on (whether they’re a blind-spot warning system or lane-changing assist) so you can ensure your safety and the safety of others.

2. Car Hit At An Angle

If a car hits another car at an angle, the impact usually occurs when one vehicle is smashing head-on into the side of another. This type of collision is called a T-Bone accident. It usually occurs when one driver runs a red light or has not yielded the right-of-way to the other vehicle. Follow traffic rules and always look both ways before crossing an intersection.

1. Rear End Collision

NHTSA has found that rear-end collisions make up a little over 32% of car crashes in the US. They also cause the most injuries for motorists and passengers, with nearly 5.5 million reported between 2011 and 2020. Rear-end collisions are not always easy to prevent. But if you keep a safe following distance, you’ll greatly reduce your chances of being slammed into.