Different Types of Vehicle Collisions and How to Avoid Them

PEKIN, Ill.,–– According to the National Safety Council, in 2016, over 4.6 million people were injured in car accidents last year. At Velde Ford, your safety is our biggest priority. We want our customers to maintain their and their passenger's safety and prepare themselves for any vehicle situation on and off the road. We've put together a list of different types of vehicle collisions and how to avoid them to reduce your chances of getting into a car accident. While, in some cases, it can be impossible to stop an accident from occurring, this list should help remind you to remain alert and ready to reduce or prevent an accident.

Single Car Accidents

Single car accidents are exactly as they sound, because they only involve one vehicle. These types of accidents can be caused by a wide range of factors, from runaway deer to slippery roads, but usually occur when drivers aren't paying attention or aren't properly adjusting their driving to the condition of the road. These types of accidents can cause a wide range of damage and injury depending on the impact point and severity of the accident, but are one of the most preventable types collisions. Remaining alert and utilizing your mirrors, windshield wipers, lights and high-beams, and keeping close watch of warning signs and nearby drivers can help to reduce the chances of a single car accident from occurring.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident and occur when one driver hits another from behind, typically causing damage to both vehicles. Depending on the speed of the rear-ender, damages can be very minor or potentially very costly and can even deploy airbags. The vehicle that rear-ends another usually receives more damage, and in some instances, can severely damage critical components of their vehicle. The best way to prevent rear-end collisions from happening is by keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. Keep your eyes on the road to avoid any potential distractions, and be prepared to brake in emergencies or when following other drivers closely in traffic. 

Side-Impact Collisions

Better known as "T-bone" or "broadside" collisions, side-impact collisions are when the side of one vehicle is hit by the front of another. The speed of both vehicles and the angle at which the side-impacter hits the other vehicle can cause potentially extreme vehicle damage and injuries to persons within the vehicles. These types of collisions can be very expensive and dangerous, because they typically involve body work in repair, and are most likely to occur at intersections and stops. Going slow and paying attention to other drivers, even during green lights, is the best way to prevent side-impact collisions.

Sideswipe Collisions

Different from side-impact collisions, sideswipe collisions happen when two vehicles driving parallel to one another touch and "swipe" each other. The damage range for sideswipe collisions is entirely dependent on the direction both vehicles are heading, the speed, and the impact itself. If both vehicles are traveling in the same direction and neither lose any control, they may only suffer minor cosmetic damage. However, if they're going separate directions, it can cause vehicles to lose control and spin into objects or other vehicles, causing property damage and personal injury. To avoid these types of collisions, keep an eye on your blind spots before switching lanes and make sure to avoid vehicles you see that are swerving or driving close to or over the lane lines. 

Multi-Car Pileups

Involving two or more vehicles, multi-car pileups are most likely to happen on highways and freeways. Multi-car pileups can occur vey quickly and can be among the most expensive types of accidents due to the multi-risk factor. They can potentially cause fires, severe injuries, and costly damage or vehicle totaling. If you're involved in this type of collision, stay in your vehicle to avoid the risk of getting injured from what's happening outside. Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles and being aware of the road's condition will greatly reduce your risk of getting in a multi-car pileup. Remaining attentive of all situations will ensure your safety on the highway.

We know that it's impossible to predict the behavior of other drivers, but informing yourself on different types of vehicle collisions and how to avoid them will increase your safety on the road and minimize your chances of getting into an accident. If you happen to find yourself in an accident and need auto body repair or collision services, we'd be happy to help! Your insurance company cannot tell you where to go for repairs. It's your choice, so choose the best! You can schedule a free collision repair estimate online, or by giving our friendly team a call. 

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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May is the Month for Motorcycle Safety Awareness

PEKIN, Ill. – May is the month for Motorcycle Safety Awareness. Velde Ford takes your safety very seriously. Keeping you and other drivers on the road is our first priority. During the nicer months, it’s important to start looking for motorcyclists on the road. Too many accidents are caused between car drivers and motorcycle riders that could be easily prevented. Staying safe on the road is a two-way street and a shared effort, so take a look at these safety tips for drivers and motorcyclists.

Tips for Motorcyclists:

• Wearing the right gear for riding is the key to your safety. A helmet, closed toe shoes, pants, a motorcycle jacket, and gloves should all be worn. Although some motorcycle gear can be a little heavy to wear, it’s going to ease your fall in case you ever get into an accident. Some of the gear, like your helmet, will also help protect you from flying debris when you’re riding.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and always watch out for potential road hazards. As a motorcyclist, you’re harder to see in traffic. Being aware of other drivers around you and looking out for any road hazards like potholes, train tracks, and construction will help you avoid any potential accidents.
• Use your turn signals and headlights. The key is to make you as visible as possible to other drivers. This is also very important to other drivers, but motorcyclists especially. You’re more likely to get into an accident when other cars can’t see you or don’t know where you’re going. 
• Check the weather. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a rainstorm or thunderstorm when you’re on your motorcycle. Double checking the weather will help your avoid these situations and keep you safe on the road.

Tips for Drivers:

• If you’re driving behind a motorcycle, leave at lease a 3-4 second following distance between you and the bike. If there’s ever a case than you need to stop quickly or swerve, you want to have the time to do that and avoid hitting the motorcyclist in front of you.
• Consider the condition of the road you’re on. If you’re on a road with potholes, railroad tracks, or even construction, the motorcyclists will need to slow down and avoid these obstacles more than a person with a car. We recommend following even further behind when encountering road conditions like this.
• Always, always, always check your blind spots! This is one of the leading causes of accidents between cars and motorcycles. Motorcyclists move much quicker and are much smaller, making them harder to see when they’re coming up in your blind spot. Double checking your mirrors and looking over your shoulders will help you avoid any potential accidents.
• Don’t try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Even if your car is on the smaller size, it’s never safe to share a lane. In the case that you have to swerve or the motorcyclist needs to swerve, you may collide. Give the motorcycle the space it needs to drive. 

Although May is the month for Motorcycle Safety Awareness, you should practice these tips every month to keep safe on the road. Your safety goes beyond these helpful tips. Take a look at our Spring Car Care pages online to learn about the maintenance your tires, car fluids, and suspension and alignment need this season. Routine maintenance will not only keep you safe on the road, but your vehicle will perform its best as well. Schedule your spring service appointment online today.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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Boo! 5 Safety Tips to Protect Your Fearless Kids This Halloween

PEKIN, Ill. –– On Halloween, the hysteria cultivated in kids filling bags with free candy until they weigh 20 pounds is enough to override the many rules of trick-or-treating safety you've imbued in them from a young age. But as irritating as it can be when they don't listen to you, it's still your job to keep your kids safe on this ghoulish night, so we've provided you with five tips to protect your fearless kids on Halloween.

1. No Tricks, Just Treats

Unfortunately, we live in a world where you have to keep a constant eye out for bizarre and unpleasant things that may negatively affect your kids. While we aren’t suggesting the majority of people are dangerous individuals roaming the streets to terrorize innocent kids, we believe it's important to keep your kids informed of the reality that some people aren’t very nice and could have crummy intentions, especially on a holiday built around creepiness. You can give some neighbors you're familiar with the benefit of the doubt, but the truth is you don’t know the majority of the people who are passing out candy to your kids. Make sure your kids know to stay polite when they ring doorbells for candy, but remind them not to fall under strangers' incantatory spells.

2. Not Just Any Haunted House

Never should your kids enter a house without your authorization or supervision. If you’re kids are old enough to trick-or-treat alone, make sure they know to stay on porches and out of houses when they collect candy. Again, your kids don’t know the people passing out candy; therefore, they should feel uncomfortable if an adult asks them to come inside. Of course, there are exceptions to this Halloween safety tip. For instance, some Halloween fanatics turn their homes or garages into haunted spaces for kids to walk through before receiving candy. If your kids see other kids and adults participating in this, there’s nothing to worry about. But if no one else is around, make sure your kids are intuitive enough to move on rather than oblige an offer to step inside a seemingly friendly stranger’s home.

3. Resist the Dark Side, Stay in the Light

Let’s be honest, Halloween can be a pretty dark occasion, figuratively and literally. It’s up to you how you choose to raise your kids regarding the more grotesque aspects of costumes and decorations, but when it comes to the real darkness of the holiday––nighttime––we think all parents should make sure their kids follow a set of rules for navigating the dusk hours. Make sure your kids are safe this Halloween when the sun goes down and the moon comes out.; no, not because of werewolves, but because nighttime naturally results in riskier situations. When it’s dark, it’s harder for drivers to see kids going door-to-door or crossing the street, and it also creates a higher risk for shady characters lurking in spooky, unnoticeable places. Keep your kids safe and remind them to stay on well-lit streets and to avoid dark areas.

4. Don’t Be a Zombie, Look Both Ways

When kids get excited about Halloween, the only thing on their mind is sugar and how much they’ll consume before slipping into a coma. That’s why it’s important to remind your kids they aren’t zombies and they should look both ways before crossing the street. Be annoying when communicating this rule to your kids, because we guarantee they won’t be repeating the left-right-left mantra you taught them years ago as they run from one block to another in pursuit of candy without you there to remind them.

5. You’re Not a Real Vampire, so Don’t Expect to Be Out Late

The parameters you emplace for your kids on Halloween are of your own discretion, but we still suggest setting a curfew for them to ensure they get home safely and on time. Find out when other parents expect their kids to come home. This will help you gauge an appropriate curfew time that won’t ruin your kids’ trick-or-treating fun, but also prevents them from being out too late when fewer adults will be present to maintain a safe environment. Be reasonable with your expectations, but don’t be afraid to set a stern check-in time, because ultimately your kids’ safety is primary.

These five tips to protect your fearless kids this Halloween are what we consider to be the major preventative measures you can take to keep your family having fun without risking any danger. Halloween is meant to be an exciting and festive night, so let’s work to keep spirits high by keeping our own and others’ kids with these tips.

At our used car dealer near Peoria Heights, IL, we also think it’s important to drive safe throughout the entire fall season. Follow our tips and visit our service center for all of your autumn maintenance. Velde Ford, located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, is committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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