In the United States, an average of 6 million car accidents occur every year. There are many different factors to a car accident, of which some are beyond a driver’s hands. Nonetheless, it would be wise to practice and be aware of all precautions to avoid being involved in a car accident.
Some of the tips to remember to avoid being involved in a car accident includes the following:
Check the Weather and Road Conditions
Weather and road conditions are the other two vital factors affecting driving circumstances. Certain weather conditions, including, but not limited to, rain, snow, fog, windy, or nighttime conditions, may pose significant risks in driving conditions. Although it is wise to avoid traveling during extreme weather, it may not be possible on certain occasions. If it is unavoidable to travel in such poor weather, practicing extra precautions in driving, including driving slowly or having proper lighting, can help mitigate a car accident.
In addition, road conditions such as poor lighting, street constructions, broken roads, or low traffic lights and signs may also contribute to car accidents. Being familiar with the road conditions or seeking alternate routes to avoid these circumstances may help you avoid car accidents.
Check Other Cars Around You
As drivers, we’re constantly told to keep our eyes on the road. However, checking your surroundings is not limited to being aware of what’s in front of you. Safe practices involve constantly checking and being aware of the environment and car behind and on both sides of our vehicles so we may move or speed up or slow down if necessary to avoid a collision.
By being aware of other vehicles on the road, you can minimize blind spots while driving. Doing so means adjusting your mirrors, seats, or any items that may block your view.
Car Maintenance
Just as the driver must be in tip-top shape when operating a car, the vehicle itself must also be in good working condition to avoid malfunction that may cause a car accident. This means that the vehicle must be in good shape through regular maintenance, including, but not limited to, tires, oil, and brakes.
In addition, the driver must also be familiar with the car they are driving. Knowing how the vehicle responds, its limits, and its capacity, the driver would understand handling the vehicle when operating it to avoid any mishaps on the road that may cause an accident.
Learn Defensive Driving
Defensive driving classes are great resources for safety tips and driving risks to anticipate in specific scenarios, which may help you improve your driving skills. These classes provide tools and insights that can help you make safe driving decisions under challenging scenarios to avoid getting into a car accident.
Aside from learning valuable tips and potentially saving yourself from the headache of being involved in a car accident, graduating from a defensive driving class can also earn you a significant discount on your car insurance premiums. Check with your auto insurance provider for more information.
Check Yourself
As the operator of the vehicle, your physical, emotional, and mental state dramatically affects the manner, you are driving or responding to the traffic. As studies have shown, a driver experiencing sleepiness, tiredness, or extreme emotional or mental distress would not be fit to operate a vehicle since their inhibition to respond to many factors while driving would be lowered.
The same effect can be found when taking specific medication, or alcohol, or drugs. It has been proven that the odds of getting into an accident are heightened when a driver is under specific medicines, alcohol, or drugs. This element is critical that laws are passed to make it illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence or while intoxicated.
Hence, checking on oneself is extremely important before operating a vehicle to avoid getting into a car accident.
Note that the tips listed above do not cover all safety practices, nor does it guarantee that following them would not get you involved in a car accident. Car accidents since collisions can occur in so many other ways and may incur even if you are doing everything right. However, practicing safe driving may prevent car accidents.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, call our offices to speak with an experienced attorney. Our experienced attorneys at Injury Compensation Law PC can help you navigate the complex legal issues surrounding car accident injuries.
