Being involved in an accident is certainly devastating. After accidents, people face several consequences, namely property damage, injuries, hospital bills, and police investigations. Because millions of accidents happen every year, thousands of lives are taken. Even though traffic rules are clear, driving vehicles still carry some level of risk of death or injury.
The mere number of vehicle collision victims used to be at an all-time low since the 60s; however, more drivers on the road have been recently involved in a critical rash of hit-and-runs, making this number rise once more. In an attempt to remedy the situation, we have come up with a list of tips to help people avoid getting hurt in accidents.
1. Fasten Your Seatbelt
We know; it may look like we’re stating the obvious here, but you’ll be surprised by the number of injuries sustained when people don’t wear their seatbelts. In cities that have high-speed crashes, you must always remember to fasten the seatbelt to evade any severe injury.
It’s also stated in the law to wear them, as you will be asked to pay a hefty fine and face consequences in case your seatbelt is not put on. Seat belts prevent you from crashing into the windshield, being thrown out of the vehicle, or hitting the steering wheel or door.
2. Don’t Exceed the Speed Limit
Speeding is one of the prime causes of accidents. In fact, records of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that speeding contributed to about 25% of all fatal crashes in 2017.
The legal team at www.brookslawgroup.com advises against this type of aggressive behavior, as it raises the risk of an accident, especially when other vehicle drivers are marching with lesser speed rates. Following the appropriate speeding limit will lessen your chances of hitting another car, which the repairs can be costly.
3. Keep Your Eyes on the Road
Perhaps one of the most pivotal steps to avoid injuries is to avoid the accident in the first place. Pedestrians and drivers certainly need to pay due attention to the road ahead.
When you are aware of your surroundings, you know how to properly act, and in this way, you will become less likely to get into an accident. In the case of distraction by radios, cellphones, or talking to other people, you put your life and that of others in jeopardy.
It helps if you check the weather conditions, as this will affect your view of the road. For pedestrians, you should make eye contact with the driver to guarantee that he or she sees you while crossing the street.
Drivers must be on the lookout for cyclists and pedestrians, particularly in dark, wet weather, at intersections, or beside transit stops. If both parties learn to be more careful, the risk of being in crashes will certainly decline.
4. Check Your Vehicle for Maintenance
Oftentimes, we hear about crashes happening due to the vehicle being in a bad shape. This is not foreign if you neglect to perform maintenance on your vehicle regularly.
It also helps to know what components you should keep a close eye to, such as tire pressure, oil changes, battery life, air filter, wiper blades, spark plugs, and brake pads. Every once in a while, you should keep track of your vehicle components to see what must be changed or fixed.
5. Call for Help
Even if you follow every single traffic law in the book, accidents may still happen. The event of an accident is overwhelming; you could be too injured to drive yourself to the nearest hospital. So, it is always better to call for an ambulance for immediate action.
If you do get into an accident, the paramedics will rush to you for help and the police will investigate the scene. This way, you will ensure that you get the utmost care in the aftermath. The key is not to panic and trust the process. The authorities can contact your car insurance company and assist in the procedures.
6. Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
As mentioned before, relying on specialists gives you the best results. Upon getting hurt in an accident, you will want to get compensation for your damaged property and medical bills. Since negotiating with insurance companies can be hectic, your chances of winning a personal injury case are high with a reputable attorney on your side.
As terrible as it is to get into an accident, it is not impossible to try to decrease the chances of it happening. It all comes down to being extra safe and aware of your surroundings and taking swift action when an accident befalls you. Hopefully, with this guide, you can ensure your safety and that of others on the road.
