The average car owner reports a collision once every 17.9 years. Typically, drivers have three to four accidents throughout a lifetime, and about three out of every 1,000 accidents result in death.
Insurance and accidents
When you pay for insurance, you are paying small installments that add up over time to cover your accident. For covering injuries and insured drivers, the average cost of an accident is $23,450. This figure, combined with knowing the average number of accidents over the course of a lifetime, can help you identify appropriate insurance rates.
Preventing accidents as best as possible
Even with the best insurance, you still do not want to get into a car accident and risk injury or death. There are a few mistakes you can avoid that will lessen your chances of crashing your car:
• Never drive under the influence of any substance. Alcohol and drugs hinder your reflexes and decision-making abilities.
• Keep the speed limit. If you drive too fast, you are much more likely to lose control of your vehicle and crash.
• Do not use your phone and drive. Both texting and calling while driving are dangerous, and a large portion of accidents are due to technology usage behind the wheel.
• Do not drive late at night. People are more likely to get into car accidents between midnight and 3 am on weekends.
About every 18 years, you are expected to get into an expensive accident. You can better avoid crashes by driving sober, ignoring your phone, slowing down and avoiding night driving. However, accidents are still very common, and there are many ways you could find yourself in one. If you were not primarily at fault, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you build your case and pursue compensation after a car accident.