Have you ever heard someone say most car accidents happen close to home? It’s easy to assume that most accidents occur far from home on unfamiliar roads, instead of the neighborhood streets that you drive everyday. But it’s true. One study found that around 77% of car crashes involving at least one injured person happen within 10 miles of the place that person lives. Why is this?
One reason is familiarity. If you drive on the same streets day in and day out, then you naturally get complacent. Over time you rely on instinct and assume there won’t be speeding car approaching from a cross street or a child running into the road chasing a toy. When driving on roads that you don’t know as well, we often pay more attention to our surroundings and drive more carefully.
Another reason is simply the number of miles you drive on roadways close to home. You spend more time near your house so your odds of crashing on those roads are higher. If you work and have a local grocery store within 10 miles of your house, then you might drive 90% of your miles within that small zone. If you have a collision, the odds are pretty good you’ll be on one of those roads close to your home.
Accidents often occur when you least expect them. You’ve made that drive to work hundreds of times without any problems. You don’t expect today to be the day a problem occurs, which is why we always need to be vigilant when driving.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured in an auto accident, there are several steps you should take immediately to help preserve evidence. Then you should contact the experienced injury attorneys at Cooney Law Offices. They can help find fair compensation for your injuries. Cooney Law Offices. We can help!