CAR accidents are no laughing matter; they cause injuries, cost people money and sometimes kill people.

That being said, here are some pictures from unusual road traffic collisions that will leave you wondering just how they happened.

I’m not entirely sure who caused the accident here, whether the Lamborghini has gone into the back of the SUV or the SUV has reversed over the sports car is unclear. One thing is for sure, it’s a pretty incredible picture, and appears to have caused a relatively minimal amount of damage to the cars involved.

I imagine describing this incident to the insurance company was a little less-than straight-forward.

A similar situation here, and again it’s not clear quite how this car has ended up on top of the other.

Worse still, the accident has happened in a parking lot, where you would hope people wouldn’t build up enough speed to mount one another’s vehicles.

So this is a car overturned, on a set of escalators, in what appears to be a shopping mall. Enough said.

Working out who was to blame will be a little more straight-forward in this instance, as it’s unlikely the mall crashed into the yellow car.

Despite their advanced training behind the wheel, even the boys in blue can be involved in baffling car crashes. At least the two officers either side of the car appear to be unhurt.

It’s Car Crash 2: Revenge of the Escalator! This gem from the Driving Hall of Fail makes me wonder whether the driver was coming down the flight of stairs – in which case they got pretty far, or they were attempting to reverse up them, which would seem fairly impossible to the average motorist.

To me, this must have been the result of unintentionally driving the car forwards instead of reversing out of the garage. Either that, or a result of driving into the garage to quickly, or the brakes failing, or…. No, I can’t explain this one either.

In fairness, this is a fairly tame fail. I was surprised how little damage the SUV did to the roof of the Mercedes, and I have to wonder how you go about moving the SUV.

As you can see from Hall of Fail, you don’t have to be at fault to be involved in a bad car accident.

Making sure you are properly insured is very important, and even in these difficult economic times when car insurance rates are rising, you’ll need to be properly covered in case you run into a Hall of Fail inductee.

Use price-comparison sites like Go Compare; Compare the Market and Money Supermarket will give you the best chance of getting a good deal on your car insurance.

All of these images, plus many more fails can be found at http://failblog.org

California State Route 1, the proverbial Pacific Coast Highway, is the embodiment of a classic road trip. After all, a state that straddles 900 miles of Pacific Ocean coast – a 15 hour drive from the Oregon state line to Tijuana, Mexico – deserves a place in world road trip lore.

Nonetheless, the Golden State is no one-trick road trip pony. So book your rental car, comb through superb hotels in Los Angeles or San Francisco and discover 10 cool California road trips.

Cascade Range Road Trip

The incomparable Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is a 500 mile-long route that spans both Oregon and California. The All-American Road snakes through the Cascade Range and past remarkable points of interest like Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lake Almanor, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Mount Shasta and Lava Beds National Monument.

Mount Shasta – Photo credit

Escondido High Country and Low Desert Road Trip

People associate San Diego County with sun, surf and sand but the southwest pocket of California has other gems in store. A High Country and Low Desert trip out of Escondido, for one, includes the awesome landscapes of the Palomar Mountains and Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park – Photo credit

Complete Bay Area Road Trip

While a good Bay Area road trip should start in San Francisco, it should by no stretch of the imagination leave it there. Dash through the multi-cultural ‘hoods of the peerless city, yes, but also make time for the Santa Cruz Mountains, San Jose, Palo Alto, Monterey Bay and the copious roadside farmers markets on the way.

Golden Gate Bridge – Photo credit

U.S. Route 395 Road Trip

U.S. Route 395 in California envelops the best of the best of the state. Awesome Sierra valley vistas, ranchlands, the ghost towns of Bodie State Historic Park, Mono Lake and the dramatic summits of Lone Pine and Mount Whitney.

Lone Pine Peak, Sierra Nevada Range – Photo credit

Route 66 Road Trip

The prototype U.S. road trip route is beyond a shadow of a doubt, Route 66. The California portion of the classic road is not long but nonetheless, offers a slew of distractions on the way to Santa Monica and the Pacific Ocean.

On Route 66, East Amboy, California – Photo credit

Interstate 10 Road Trip

Despite some overlap with Route 66, Interstate 10 is well worth a drive. The California stretch of I-10 is handsomely eclectic, from Palm Desert and Coachella to the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

Joshua Tree National Park – Photo credit

San Francisco to Yosemite National Park Road Trip

Any road trip with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the end of the line is a good road trip. At four hours long, the drive from downtown San Francisco to Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan is just about perfect.

Cathedral Peak, Yosemite National Park – Photo credit

Eureka to Sequoia National Park Road Trip

The North Coast city of Eureka is a wonderful destination in and of itself, with untold natural beauty and cultural points of interest to explore. Take some time to get to know Eureka before you hit the road for Sequoia National Park. The 520 mile journey offers many excellent stops, such as state capital Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto and Fresno.

General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park – Photo credit

Inland Empire Road Trip

The Inland Empire of California denotes a loose geographic and urban area that includes Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario. More than 4 million people call the Inland Empire home and a road trip here should mix in stops at Palm Springs, the Salton Sea and San Bernardino Mountains. Tourists can easily embark on this road trip from Downtown Los Angeles hotels.

Mojave Desert – Photo credit

Sonoma and the North Coast Road Trip

The North Coast is for some California purists, the most handsome segment of the state. Rural, bucolic and with only one city – Santa Rosa – over 100,000 people, the redwood and vineyard rich area is lovely. Do not miss the charms of Sonoma wine country and the majestic Grove of Titans in Jedediah Smith Redwoods Park (whose location within the park is a bit of a mystery).

Sonoma vineyards – Photo credit

Crazy things happen in rental cars. Whether it’s accidental or intentional, it can still be very fun to watch other people’s rental car bloopers.

If you are in need of a good laugh, you will thoroughly enjoy the following five funny American rental car bloopers!

Here’s what happens when you rent an SUV, and then proceed to speed across uneven surfaces on the road:

The following person decided it would be fun to rent an SUV, and the burnout the tires in an empty parking lot:

This is actually more crazy than it is funny, but it’s still a great video. Watch as an unoccupied Hertz rental car goes up in flames:

What happens when combine a rental car, a group of college kids, and the stairs in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art? Watch the next video to find out!

And to top it all off, check out the damage Bam Margera and the rest of the CKY2K crew cause when they get their hands on a rental car!

Across the globe, there are more than fifty countries that drive on the left side of the road. Some of the most prominent countries that drive on the left side of the road are India, Japan, the United Kingdom and South Africa. If someone is used to driving on the right side of the road and travels to a country that drives on the left side of the road, even if they are aware of the difference, it can be difficult to remember this as they are driving in their rental car.

While videos of tourists driving on the wrong side of the road can be quite entertaining, this is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. Not only can driving on the wrong side of the road result in a wreck, but it can result in a wreck that is fatal. For example, in the state of Georgia, driving on the wrong side of the road is the third leading cause of fatal crashes.

If you’re used to driving on the right side of the road and planning a trip to a country where you will be driving in a rental car on the left side of the road, be sure that you are prepared.

There are several different things which could compromise your safety when you are traveling abroad. These are some of the tips that you should follow to help you remain safer while traveling:

Keep luggage in your room – Luggage is always something that unsavory individuals will target if you are not careful. If you leave your luggage unattended for just a moment outside of your vision, someone could take them or put something into your luggage which may be dangerous.

Never tell anyone where you are staying – Although people may seem innocent at the time, some may stalk people to their hotels if they feel that they can overpower you by themselves or with a group of people. This is very important, especially if you are flaunting expensive jewelry or clothes.

Do not eat street food – Street food may not be cooked properly or may have additives that may be purposely put in to knock you out such as drugs. You need to ensure that you purchase your food from safe locations always.

Use travelers checks – Travelers checks are a special type of check which could be cashed in many locations where credit or debit cards are not accepted. Traveler’s checks are fairly simple to use and are available from many different companies and are more secure than going with cash alone.

Use a rental vehicle – Rental vehicles offer some security as well as allow you to travel not out in the open. Many people get around faster to where they need to be and thieves will be less likely to follow you.

Because different countries have different road rules and customs, if you are visiting a country for the first time, it’s important to familiarize yourself with their driving practices before you arrive. While having a rental car can make a trip run smoothly, having a rental car and not knowing certain rules of the road can make your first experience in a new country quite scary.

So, where should you start in learning about what you should know about another country’s driving practices? The first question you should ask is whether they drive on the left or right side of the road. If it’s the opposite of what you’re used to, arriving without being aware of this difference can be quite an unpleasant and potentially dangerous surprise!

The next type of questions should be about topics such as whether or not talking on a cellphone is permitted while driving, whether or not you can turn on a red light, and if their policy for drinking and driving. While drunk driving is never acceptable, some countries allow you to have a certain blood alcohol level, while others have a zero tolerance policy. Knowing a country’s laws about alcohol and driving will help you plan accordingly on any night’s that you go out and enjoy yourself.

Another area to inform yourself about is the ID and documentation you need to keep with you. Once again, every country has its own requirements, so it’s important to learn what’s required in the specific country you’re visiting.

Taking the time to get informed before you arrive in a new country will ensure that you can enjoy yourself throughout the trip, without running into any unpleasant problems.

By helping you comparison shop, the Internet can you save big bucks when you rent a car. But don’t turn a good deal into a blooper by making these mistakes:

Don’t forget to check the car’s condition when you pick it up. Believe it or not, some companies may try to blame pre-existing dents and scratches on you, so when you pick the car up, check it for imperfections. You don’t have to use to a magnifying glass, but be reasonably thorough. If you find something in excess of normal wear and tear, take a picture of it. Your cell phone camera may end up saving you from being charged for a repair that you wasn’t your fault.

Don’t forget to check offline for a better deal. Even though the Internet is likely to be the best source of the best deals, a local car rental company might be offering a special or might have a cancellation that suits your needs.

Don’t check the terms. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you’re getting unlimited mileage. It’s rare, but sometimes the agreement doesn’t require you to return the car with a full tank. If you filled it up, but didn’t have to, that’s money out of your pocket. Most likely, you will make your rental car reservation at a Web site, so that’s the best time to read everything carefully. Be sure to make a copy of the final agreement by printing it. Then review the printout. If you see something you don’t like, you can cancel the reservation.

Thrifty Car Rental services are often known for their reliable vehicles for a low price on the market for rental services. Of course their track record has a few blemishes but they are still one of the better services for those who need to save some money on an automotive rental option.

One of the major rental problems that Thrifty has encountered is not having the vehicles that customers paid for on hand. This is partly due to the fact of the popularity of the service and the high volume of rentals being made on a day to day basis from them. This leaves them severely short of vehicles and those who make their reservations on short notice may have the most difficulties getting their vehicles. The main reason behind this is the fact that so many rental orders are now done in advance that the vehicles are simply depleted from the available options.

The travelers that travel at the last minute and expect to get a great vehicle option from Thrifty may be in for a surprise. Long lines of travelers simply form waiting for access to a list of available vehicle options which may be strictly on subject to availability. Those who end up traveling and keeping the vehicle for a day more will deal with the charges but end up leaving others who were depending on the vehicle unable to have access to the vehicle that was supposed to be returned the day before. The easiest thing to do with thrifty is ensure that you book your rentals in advance and online to reduce the chances that t he vehicle you need will not be out of stock when you arrive.

People are always faced with wondering what they can do to save money on their car. Owning a car can cost thousands of dollars each year. There are many tips that people can follow in order to save money because we all know how important that is these days.

Start thinking about what kind of gas you use in your car. If you use premium then you are probably paying an arm and a leg for it. Use regular gas. It will be cheaper to fill up your tank and you will spend less money on gas each year.

Another way to save on auto expenses is trimming costs on insurance. Making sure you shop around for cheap car insurance is very important. You need to have the coverage that will work with your driving preferences. Many insurance companies will charge a lot of extra charges for taxes and what not, so be very careful when choosing an insurance company.

Maintaining your car is also very important. Making sure you oil is checked as well as other important factors of your vehicle. Getting regular checks by a mechanic to make sure your car is in tip top shape is also a great way to save money in the long run. Usually if one problem goes wrong with your car then it seems as if a bunch of things go wrong soon afterwards. If you make sure you keep up with maintenance then you will have to shed out less cash for repair work on your vehicle.

If you are somewhat knowledgeable about fixing cars and doing repairs then you can save money by doing the repair work on your own. Also if you know a friend that can help with repair work can also really save you money as well, because a friend probably will not charge you as much as a shop would.

Making sure you change your antifreeze every single winter is very important. Keeping your car running great in every season can really help you save money in your pocket. Reading your drivers manual for your car can help you keep up with when the different oils and fluids need to be changed in your model of vehicle.