A car accident can happen anywhere. You could be driving down a perfectly straight stretch of two-lane highway when someone crosses the center line, distracted by their cellphone, and strikes your vehicle. You could be sitting in stopped traffic when a driver behind you does not see the backup and rear-ends your car.
But statistically speaking, intersections are especially dangerous. Government crash statistic reports indicate that intersections are the site of 50 percent of all accident-related injuries and 25 percent of all fatalities. This means that you need to be especially wary every time you find yourself at an intersection.
How can you stay safe?
Naturally, simply obeying the rules of the road is the first step. You need to understand when it is your turn at a four-way stop, for example. Always remain alert, never drive while you are distracted or under the influence, and take a slow and careful approach, rather than rushing through an intersection.
But in many cases, just doing the right thing yourself is not enough to avoid a crash. Another driver could still make a negligent error, such as running a red light and T-boning your car. This is why it is important to become a defensive driver. Pay close attention to the cars around you and try to anticipate the mistakes those drivers may make to keep yourself safe.
Seeking compensation
Even if you focus on safety, you cannot always prevent car accidents. If someone else causes an accident through their own negligence and you suffer injuries, then you need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and related costs.