According to a statistic by the Federal Highway Administration, about 2.5 million car accidents happen at intersections annually. Even though roundabouts are safer than intersections, some drivers still fail to respect the general safety protocols. You might be involved in a car accident, even if you drove responsibly.
In such cases, car accident attorneys in Kansas City advise you to call the authorities immediately and avoid confrontation with the other drivers. Roundabouts were created to reduce the frequency of high-risk accidents by forcing everyone to reduce their speed and eliminating impact points that cause dangerous collisions between cars.
Although driving a car implies focus and close attention on the road, not all drivers respect these rules. Drunk driving, speeding, road rage, and distracted driving are just a few reasons why accidents occur. Here are some insights about the most common mistakes that happen while driving in roundabouts or intersections and how you can avoid making them.
Type of Accidents Happening in Intersections
The most common accidents in intersections are head-on collisions and side impacts. Both can lead to severe injuries, and sometimes they can be deadly. Side collisions or T-bone accidents happen when one vehicle drives into the side of another. When this happens, you can injure your neck or spine, risking paralysis or even death. A head-on collision occurs when a driver makes a left turn across a lane while there is oncoming traffic. This type of collision is especially dangerous because of the combined speed of both vehicles.
Suppose you’re a victim of somebody else’s reckless driving. In that case, you should hire an attorney so that you’re compensated for your injuries, property damage, lost wages, or emotional trauma. While you recover from your injuries, the attorney can prepare your case, hire specialists to reconstruct the accident scene, and more. Even if your car is equipped with seatbelts and airbags, it might not be enough to avoid a disastrous outcome. You could end up with broken bones and head injuries, leading to memory loss and other disabilities.
How to Safely Use a Roundabout
Roundabouts are safer if the drivers know how to use them. There are some general rules that you should know before entering a roundabout. You must yield to all traffic from your left side as traffic moves counter-clock. Be careful to yield traffic coming from both lanes, not only the one that is closest to you, before entering the roundabout.
You should check all the markings available when choosing what lane works best for you. An essential rule is to travel according to the speed limit. If you are not an experienced driver, you can travel below the speed limit to ensure you do not make any mistakes. One thing that is forbidden is trying to pass another vehicle already inside the roundabout.
Why are Roundabouts Safer?
Roundabouts come with some resolutions to avoid catastrophic accidents. Its best feature is the increased yield control, meaning you can enter the roundabout whenever you feel ready. At the same time, better visibility, slower speed, and fewer impact points will significantly decrease the possibility of serious accidents such as rear-end or head-on collisions.
The Federal Highway Administration states that there was a 44% reduction in all crashes and a 72% reduction in crashes that resulted in serious injuries or death after the implementation of roundabouts. These results confirm that roundabouts are a better and safer alternative to intersections so you can enjoy driving without fearing unexpected accidents and injuries.
