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“You’re more likely to die in a car accident than from *insert risk-taking behavior here!*” Most people use this comparison to justify activities like skydiving or bungee jumping. This comparison isn’t wrong.
Car accidents are, unfortunately, common. Let’s discuss some of the most common times and places for car accidents so you can be prepared.
When Do Most Car Accidents Happen?
Because of colder weather and potential snow, most people might assume that car accidents happen more frequently in the winter months. However, this isn’t true.
The most common time of year for car accidents is over the summer months. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, August is the month with the most crashes.
Car accidents are also more likely to occur on the weekends. This may be due to longer times spent traveling to weekend getaways, drunk driving, or simply a higher volume of cars out on the roads to enjoy the nice weather. Friday specifically has the highest average number of crashes.
What Time of Day Do Most Car Accidents Occur?
This answer changes based on the season.
For the spring and summer months, non-fatal accidents peaked between 12 pm-3 pm.
However, fatal crashes are more likely to occur between 8 pm and midnight.
From October-March, the peak is from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Holiday Weekends
Many people celebrate holidays with friends and family and usually partake in drinking alcohol. Unfortunately, this leads to more drunk driving accidents over holiday weekends.
Some of the holiday weekends with the highest rates of alcohol-related accidents are:
- Memorial Day Weekend
- Labor Day Weekend
- 4th of July Weekend
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- New Year’s
Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen?
Most non-fatal car accidents happen close to home. Why might this be the case?
- Lack of attention: People are so familiar with the streets near where they live that they can zone out while they drive. Unfortunately, this lack of focus can lead to accidents if the driver fails to actively observe their surroundings.
- Parked cars: If there are cars parked on the side of the roads, drivers may accidentally side-swipe or rear-end them. This is especially true at night when there is poor visibility and the driver doesn’t expect a car to be parked on the road.
- Rush hour: Since more people are starting to head back to the office, we’ll likely see an increase in traffic around the 8 am and 5 pm times. As people are running late to work, or are excited to return home, they may drive less safely.
- Drunk driving: Some people opt to skip the bar and hang out at friends’ houses on the weekends. This can lead to an increase in local drunk driving accidents.
Specific places where car accidents are common include:
- Rural areas
- Intersections
- Parking lots
Common Causes of Car Accidents
There are numerous reasons why a car accident might happen.
Fatigue
Being tired behind the wheel can cause the driver to lose focus, go into ‘autopilot,’ or even close their eyes and doze off.
Speeding
Speed-related accidents are incredibly common. In summer months when the weather is clear, people may be more inclined to speed. Stay safe, and follow the speed limits.
Distracted Driving
There is a lot to look at while driving. However, it’s best to keep full attention on the road and your surroundings.
Distractions drivers experience include:
- Text messages
- Phone calls
- Eating while driving
- Fiddling with car radio
- Other passengers
Tips for Safe Driving
Some of the best things you can do to stay safe on the road are:
- Obey speed limits
- Pay attention to your surroundings
- Keep a safe distance from other cars
- Wear a seatbelt
- Don’t look at your phone while driving
Columbia Car Accident Attorney
It is important to understand risks on the road. Be sure to stay alert this summer and practice safe driving.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Marion M. Moses, LLC today. Our attorney can help you file a personal injury claim to hold the negligent driver responsible.