Studies have found that most car accidents happen relatively close to home. The majority of wrecks are not even more than seven miles from home.
There are a few ways to break down this data and some key takeaways that may help you understand the risks out there on the road — which, in turn, can make you safer this year.
People do most of their driving in a small radius around their homes
People often present this fact as if the roads close to home are more dangerous than others, but a big part of the equation is just that people are on those roads most often. If you spend 75% of your yearly miles driving within 10 miles of your house, odds are that any crash that happens will also take place within 10 miles of your house. There doesn’t seem to be any correlation to increased danger, but rather an increase in exposure.
That said, some research has indicated that even when you add exposure into the equation, these accidents happen more than might be expected. This may suggest that people are safer on unfamiliar roads simply because they’re not used to driving there and they have to pay attention. On familiar roads near home, they’re more likely to lose their focus or let their mind wander. Those drives may feel more boring since they do them so often, and that can lead to distractions and higher crash rates.
What can you do after an accident?
If you’re driving and you get hit by one of these inattentive drivers near their home (or yours), you could be seriously injured. Make sure you know how to seek financial compensation for your injuries and losses. An attorney can advocate for your interests and make sure that you get what’s fair.
