A method for preventing a collision of a vehicle involves continuously detecting an operation of a brake pedal of the vehicle and concluding a risk of collision if the brake pedal is operated quickly. A position and a movement of objects in the vehicle surroundings relative to the vehicle are detected and evaluated regarding the risk of collision. When a risk of collision has been detected, an evasion maneuver of the vehicle is automatically carried out, if the evaluation of the risk of collision reveals that a collision can be prevented by an evasion maneuver but not by a braking manoeuvre.