As a driver, your main focus is to stay safe on the road and avoid accidents. However, you may feel more anxious when driving on certain types of roads. For instance, you may find highways riskier than local roads. Understandably, highways may not feel safe as vehicles travel at higher speeds, and there are more lanes to monitor, which can be intimidating to even the most experienced drivers. While traffic accidents are more frequent on roads, highway collisions cause more damage and loss of life. That being said, it’s crucial to identify the most common types of accidents that occur on highways to mitigate the risks. Please continue reading to discover the most common types of highway accidents and how a proficient New York City & Westchester County Auto Accident Lawyer can help protect your rights.
WHAT ARE COMMON TYPES OF HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS IN NEW YORK?
When operating a vehicle on a highway, it’s paramount to remember that you share the road with many other motorists, not all of whom are driving cars. That said, there is an increased risk of a collision as these other motorists can also engage in dangerous driving behaviors like drunk driving, reckless driving, distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, etc. Regardless of which type of vehicle you operate, you must comply with the rules of the road and remain attentive to ensure your safety and that of every other driver on the road. According to research, the following include two of the most common types of highway accidents:
- Rollover accidents: this type of collision occurs when a vehicle’s tire hits something, causing the driver to swerve and lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle’s weight shifts to one side, causing it to roll before it can regain balance. Depending on the force of the accident, a vehicle may roll once, or it could roll multiple times before coming to a stop. Speeding around a curve or turn can often cause a rollover accident as the tires lose grip on the road. While a rollover accident can happen to any car, SUVs, trucks, and vans are more likely to flip because they have a higher center of gravity.
- Merging accidents: this type of collision occurs when a vehicle shifts from one lane to a parallel lane and hits a car already occupying that lane. A driver may misjudge the space between vehicles before entering the lane, fail to use their turn signal, or forget to check their blind spot. Merging accidents can be particularly severe as the cars are so close, and vehicles merging often travel at high speeds.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident on a highway, it’s in your best interest to retain the legal services of an experienced lawyer from The Bàez Legal Group, who can help guide you through your legal options and assist you in recovering the financial compensation you deserve.