Car And Truck Accident Data Shows That Properly Using Your Mirrors Can Reduce Your Chances Of Serious Injuries

Car accidents are an unfortunate part of everyday life, but many can be avoided. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) compile annual traffic fatality statistics to track various trends for public reporting.

For example, in 2019 in the United States:

• There were 33,654 fatal motor vehicle crashes.
• There were 36,096 deaths resulting from those motor vehicle crashes.
• There were 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people.
• There were 1.13 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled.

Truck accidents often can cause more serious injuries and damage because of the sheer volume involved in an accident. Of reported truck accidents in 2019”

• 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
• 16 percent of these deaths were truck occupants.
• 67 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles.
• The number of people who died in large truck crashes was 31 percent higher in 2019 than in 2009.

There is of course no full proof way to prevent auto and truck accidents, but the proper use of your vehicle’s mirrors, especially to reduce blind spot accidents, appears to be a major factor. It is something that the best auto accident lawyers and truck accident lawyers see on a regular basis when helping clients who have been victims of an accident get the compensation they deserve.

Blind spot errors can be the culprit of many car and truck accidents.

Blind spots exist in all vehicles and if a driver does not take appropriate precautions, they can cause collisions.

A blind spot is an area around the vehicle that cannot be directly observed by the driver.  Blind spots may occur in the front of the driver if the windshield pillar, side-view mirror, or rear-view mirror blocks the driver’s view of the road.  Behind a driver, things like headrests and cargo may be blocking the driver’s view. Other various car parts may block a driver’s peripheral vision from the side windows as well.

These car mirror safety tips can help drivers with the serious threat of blind spot accidents.

While some car accidents are inevitable, using your car mirrors properly may prevent some blind spot accidents.  Here are several recommendations for how best to safely use your vehicle’s mirrors to help reduce the potential of a serious car or truck accident.

• As soon as you get into a car, make time for mirror adjustment.  Always adjust your rearview mirror any time the seat is moved before you drive.  Ensure that you can see the road behind you. Also adjust your outside mirrors. Adjust your right-side mirror to ensure that you can see the roadway behind your vehicle and to the passenger side of your car.  Adjust your left side mirror so that you can see behind you and to the driver’s side of your car.
• Use your rearview and side mirrors to constantly monitor traffic while you are driving.
• When you are changing lanes, check all your mirrors.  You should also turn and look over your shoulder before you change lanes.
• Be cognizant of other driver’s blind spots.  As much as possible, avoid other driver’s blind spots by slowing down or changing lanes to get out of the blind spot.

The experienced auto and truck accident attorneys at Bashore Green can be your legal partner if you have been injured.

Contact Bashore Green with questions following an accident that happened to you, a family member or friend. We can assess your situation and determine if you are likely eligible for compensation because of an incident that was not your fault. Call us at 248-838-0635.