Car accidents are sometimes unavoidable, but there are precautionary measures one can put in place to increase your chances of avoiding them or lessen the damage done. It has been suggested that one in four people will have a car accident in their lifetime, and if you are unlucky enough to be this one in four, then you must make sure you are protected and adhering to the rules of the road. If you are negligent as a driver and passenger, you increase the risk of seriously hurting yourself in a car accident.
You are not the only one who will be affected by a car accident. Not only will your family feel the effects, but as will the family of the person you hit. And, unfortunately, many car accidents are fatal. Car accidents strike unexpectedly and can cause life-changing injuries, and cost a lot of money. If you are responsible for a car accident, you may find yourself incurring huge fines and being subject to a lawsuit.
When you are driving you should always keep your eyes open and pay attention to everything around you. Here are seven ways to avoid a car accident.
Truck Accidents vs. Car Accidents: What are the Risks?
The automotive revolution became synonymous with high speed, but development and high speed could not be reconciled. Accidents on roads are the highest in the world today, causing a loss of three percent of GDP. About 1.5 lakh people are killed in road accidents annually.
*Even though this number sounds terrifying, it is important not to neglect it. More precisely, the wisest option would be to prepare yourself on time if something like this happens to you on a road. In cases like this, people are usually very traumatized after the accident and they need a lot of time to recover. However, legal procedures will not wait for you to recover. You will need to handle them, even though you do not feel prepared for that. For that reason, it would be best to hire a personal injury attorney, who will take care of the procedure for you, defend your rights on the court and provide a fair settlement for you. If you find yourself in this situation, you can consult with Spaulding Injury Law and they will take care of your recovering compensation.
But are some types of accidents worse than others? Is it more dangerous to be inside a commercial truck during a collision than another, smaller vehicle? Let’s look at the facts of car and truck accidents and the risks associated with both.
1. Reduce Your Speed
Speeding is one of the main catalysts for accidents all over the world. If you decide to read more here about car accidents, then you will be surprised to know that in the U.S. State of Virginia alone, there are up to one-hundred and seventy-eight car accidents a day, and there is predicted to be one every three minutes, with two people dying every single day. Most of those accidents could likely be avoided if the speed limit was adhered to and drivers were more aware of what was going on around them. Unfortunately, it is often the case that most car accidents are completely avoidable.
You should make sure you always adhere to the speed limit, as breaking it can be very dangerous. All it takes is a driver to not pay attention for just a second, and you can cause a fatal accident. The speed limit is in place for a reason, and if you do not know the roads you are driving on, breaking it can be devastating. A sudden S-bend or a dip in the road can be enough to send your car into a wall or a hedge and seriously injure you.
2. Wear a Seatbelt
Many people, even with the knowledge of how dangerous it is, still decide not to wear a seatbelt. Whenever you are setting out on a car journey, you should make sure you wear your seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt will not serve to reduce your likelihood of a car accident, but will ensure that should you have one, you are less likely to become a fatality. If you are traveling with your children, you must ensure they wear seat belts at all times, and that you drive responsibly.
3. Do Not Drive Drunk
Driving under the influence, whether alcohol or narcotics, is a recipe for disaster. A great way to avoid a vehicle accident is to only ever drive when you are in a good frame of mind, and when you are completely sober. Driving while intoxicated seriously increases the likelihood of having a fatal car accident, and you would be surprised how many drivers still, to this day, continue to drive while intoxicated. Never drive under the influence, and if you have had too much to drink, get a cab home instead, otherwise, you may injure yourself, and others.
4. Keep Your Eyes Open
As was mentioned in the introductory paragraph, one of the best ways to avoid a car accident is to simply keep your eyes open. If you drive around without paying attention and without checking your mirrors, you drastically increase the chances of you having a car accident. Keeping your eyes open means watching all of the vehicles around you and recognizing the signs of reckless drivers. If a driver is behaving irresponsibly, you should give them away, pull over, and call the police. Reckless drivers endanger the lives of everybody else on the roads and must be stopped.
5. Make Sure Your Car is In Good Condition
Whenever you are driving, you should make sure your vehicle is in good condition. If you drive a vehicle that is beaten and battered and falling apart, then you risk your car potentially breaking down, or parts of it falling off. If your vehicle breaks down on a highway or motorway, then you significantly increase the likelihood of a vehicle accident, and if the motorway is busy, then a car accident truthfully is completely unavoidable. Make sure your vehicle is always in good condition, and if it isn’t, do not risk taking it out on the road.
6. Do Not Drive When Tired
Driving tired is just as bad as driving under the influence. There are many service stations dotted along our motorways and highways to give drivers a place to rest their eyes. If you fear that you are going to pass out or drift off while you are on the road, it is absolutely fundamental for your safety, and others, that you stop and find somewhere to park. Even if you have to spend the entire night sleeping on the side of the road, it is better than causing an accident and winding up sleeping in a hospital bed.
7. Do Not Allow Anyone to Distract You
Another big cause of driving fatalities is the driver becoming distracted. Yes, as was mentioned earlier, you should always keep your eyes open and be aware of everything going on outside of your car; however, you must also keep your eyes open and make sure you know what is going on inside your car. If a passenger is messing around, they may surprise you, distract you, and cause a vehicle accident. Make sure your passengers behave responsibly and do not give any reason for you to become distracted and cause a car accident.
Unfortunately, car accidents are completely avoidable many times. You should ensure that you follow the suggestions put forward in this page so that you can ensure your safety on the roads and the safety of those sharing the roads with you. Vehicle accidents can change your life forever, and the lives of your family, so never willingly allow yourself to become victim to one through negligence.
