Safety Tips to Avoid Accidents

A car accident can be a traumatic and devastating event. Car crash injuries are often severe and can cause long-lasting pain and suffering. Even a minor car wreck can be costly for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Observing these car safety tips can help you avoid a car accident.

1 - Remain Vigilant

The average passenger car weighs around 2,000 pounds. Even traveling at a modest speed of 35 mph, a car can cause significant damage when it is involved in a crash. You can avoid many car accidents by remaining vigilant with best practice safety tips while driving and focusing on the road. Scan the area around you and be aware of other vehicles, pedestrians, and potential hazards so you can drive defensively and avoid a collision. You may be an excellent driver, but others may not, and you should always be aware of your surroundings.

2 - Don’t Speed

Many people speed, especially on the highway. But driving above the posted speed limit is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Speeding reduces your reaction time and increases the likelihood that you will lose control, causing injuries to your passengers and others on the road.

3 - Drive a Safe Vehicle

Decrease the likelihood of a serious injury during a car accident by selecting a vehicle with excellent safety features, including airbags, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and more. These features reduce the risk of a car crash.

4 - Don’t Drink and Drive

Many major crashes involve drugs or alcohol. Driving while under the influence impairs your senses, slows your reaction time, and increases the likelihood of a mistake that can lead to a serious accident.

5 - Wear Your Seatbelt

Seatbelts save lives. People who do not wear a seatbelt are more likely to be thrown from the vehicle during a car crash. Even if they stay inside the passenger compartment, they are likely to be thrown around, resulting in injuries to the head, neck, and back, or blunt force trauma from striking the interior of the vehicle. Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of a catastrophic injury if you are involved in a car accident and is one of the more important safety tips out there.

6 - Be a Defensive Driver

People who drive aggressively are more likely to take risks, which increases the likelihood of being involved in a serious car accident. Letting your emotions get in the way can affect your judgment and cause you to take unnecessary risks.

To avoid accidents a defensive driver should be patient and anticipate that other drivers will make unexpected maneuvers on the road. Anticipating other drivers’ actions can help you avoid a collision, even when you have the right of way.

7 - Don’t Be a Distracted Driver

Today’s cars are a marvel of engineering, featuring radios, GPS devices, cell phones, and even TV screens. But these distractions can cause you to lose focus on driving and lead to mistakes that can result in a car wreck and serious injuries.

8 - Avoid Drowsy Driving

Driving tired can be even more dangerous than driving drunk. Yet many people get behind the wheel when they haven’t had enough sleep, which means they are not as alert as they need to be.

9 - Use Caution When Driving at Night

Driving at night poses additional risks, and is the hub for a litany of car safety tips. It can be more difficult to see, and you are more likely to encounter drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Use caution and remain alert to your surroundings, especially when driving at night.

10 - Perform Routine Maintenance

A well-maintained car is a safe car. Keep track of when you changed the oil, topped off the fluids, and replaced the tires. Check for wear and tear, and replace items that are worn out. Your car will perform better and be safer to handle when it is properly maintained.

Contact the Texas Car Accident Lawyers at McKinney Vos Today

Being a safe driver requires focus and attention to detail. Following these car safety tips can decrease the likelihood of being involved in a serious car accident.

If you were hurt in an accident with another driver, the personal injury lawyers at McKinney Vos can help. We will provide clarity and understanding to your situation and are here to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you to see how we can help.

To learn more about safety tips to avoid accidents, contact McKinney Vos today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation to discuss your situation.