Dealing with the repercussions of an automobile accident can be painful and expensive. Personal injuries, car repairs, and rising insurance costs are all possible consequences of an accident. To avoid hospital stays, lost wages, and time consuming settlement disputes, it’s best to do everything you can to make sure accidents don’t happen. While it may be impossible to avoid being involved in a collision, there are a few proactive steps drivers can take to ensure that they don’t become the victims of traffic accidents. Here are some of the most common causes of automotive accidents and what you can do to prevent them.
Distracted Driving
This is the most common cause of accidents in the United States as of 2013, surpassing drunk driving. Drivers who talk on the phone or to passengers, check text messages, or look at devices such as GPS screens instead of the road are up to 20 times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who pay attention to their surroundings.
The best way to prevent distracted driving is to avoid looking at your phone, eating, grooming, or looking up directions while at the wheel. Make sure you devote your full attention to driving, and make sure any music or conversations don’t distract you from the road.
Speeding
Drivers who surpass the speed limit don’t have as much time to react to unexpected occurrences such as cars pulling out in front of them, which leads to increased rates of accidents. This is why the legal speed limit is posted on most roads in the first place. When running late for an important appointment, speeding can seem reasonable, but it often has consequences far worse than a missed meeting. Speeding tickets and collisions can be avoided by driving within the posted speed limit and driving defensively.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is the most preventable causes of accidents today. Alcohol slows reflexes, lessens motor control, and decreases reaction speed, meaning a drunk driver is an unsafe driver. With a high potential for accidents and stiff legal penalties, getting behind the wheel after drinking is a risk not worth taking. Instead, make sure you designate a sober driver, use public transit, or call a taxi if you plan on having a few drinks.
Weather Conditions
Everyone knows ice and snow can lead to automobile accidents, but there are other weather conditions to be aware of as well. For instance, driving in fog can make it very difficult to see oncoming traffic, and driving at high speeds in heavy rain can cause drivers to hydroplane and lose control. Always be aware of the driving conditions, and pull over if rain, snow, or fog makes it difficult to see. Sometimes waiting a few minutes for the weather to pass is all it takes to avoid an accident.
If you have been the victim of an automobile accident, contact the law offices of Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein at 917-730-7151 for a free consultation. Sometimes accidents can’t be avoided. When they happen, call an experienced personal injury lawyer you can trust.