10 Tips on How to Avoid a Car Accident Injury
Having to deal with an injury from a car accident can turn your life upside down. The physical and financial burdens can take a serious toll on your quality of life. While the attorneys at Angell Law Firm are ready to help you in the event of an accident, they also want to help you avoid one in the first place. There are several simple ways to avoid a car accident and the struggles that come with sustaining a personal injury.
1. Avoid using the “fast lane”.
Most highway accidents occur in the left lane, which is considered the fast lane on the highway. The right and center
lanes allow you to have access to more escape routes. This is important should yousuddenly need to change lanes or pull over on the shoulder because of the erratic actions of a negligent or aggressive driver. Having the option to safely get out of the way of an impending accident can both save your life, and help you avoid sustaining a serious injury. Driving in the fast lane also puts you more at more of a risk of getting pulled over by highway patrol.
2. Scan the area ahead of you.
It is important not to focus all of your attention on just the car in front of you. Be sure to keep your eyes on all of the traffic in front of that car as well. By scanning the area in front of you, you increase your chances of seeing a problem while you still have time to react properly. This also decreases your chances of rear-ending the car in front of you in the event that they will have to make a sudden stop.
3. Be aware of blind spots.
While properly adjusting your side and review mirrors will give you a seamless panoramic view of what is happening behind you, it is important to not rely completely on them when you need to change lanes. Most vehicles have several blind spots where the mirrors will fail to reveal another car. It is important to actually turn and look directly into the lane beside you when changing lanes in order to avoid hitting a car or motorcycle left undetected by your mirrors. It is also wise to consider the blind spots of the other drivers around you, especially truckers, and try to minimize the time you spend in them to avoid the chance of getting into an accident.
4. Drive with your hands in the nine and three o’clock position.
Most people tend to drive with one hand at the 12 o’clock position or with both hands resting at the bottom of the steering wheel. However, taking the time to place your hands in the recommended nine and three o’clock position will give you the maximum control of your vehicle should you be forced into some quick maneuvering to avoid a potential accident.
5. Have control of the wheel like a race car driver.
A trick that race car drivers use to maintain complete control of the steering wheel is to move their seat close enough to the wheel so that their wrist can rest on the top of the wheel with their arm outstretched, and with their back against the seat. This position ensures that your arms will be able to stay easily in the best position for any last minute evasive maneuvers that may need to happen, and not get tired.
6. Pay attention to the condition of the cars around you.
Paying attention to the condition of the cars around you can be a good indicator of the condition of the driver. A car with body damage or dirty windows can be indicative of an inattentive driver as well. If you spot a car drifting in their lane, this can mean that the driver is tired, preoccupied by using a cell phone, or even drunk. By paying attention to these details, you can get away from the vehicle and successfully avoid an accident.
7. Know the limits of your car.
It is important to become familiar with the performance limits of the car you drive. Whether you drive a minivan or an exotic sports car, you need to pay attention to how the vehicle reacts in different situations. If your vehicle tends to lean when you are rounding corners, this means that wrenching the wheel at high speeds to avoid an accident could have dangerous consequences. It is also important to be familiar with the limits of the brakes and tires of your car. Be sure to know how long to takes to stop when you apply maximum pressure to the brakes. Also pay attention to the condition of your tires and how much grip they have so you will be able to react appropriately.
8. Maintain your car properly to keep it in good shape.
It is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for your vehicle. Following the proper maintenance schedule will ensure that your car will accelerate, stop, and steer correctly when you need it to. Taking the time to make sure everything is in proper working order and that the tires are in good shape will help you avoid a scary, and potentially dangerous situation while on the road.
9. Avoid driving at night.
Some people prefer to travel during the night in order to avoid traffic, but driving at night comes with certain hazards. It is important to take into consideration your own increased chance of becoming fatigued and pull over to rest when necessary. Driving in the dark also means that you will experience a decreased field of vision and it is important to be aware of this and drive accordingly. You also run the risk of encountering other drivers who may be tired or intoxicated. These risks make it especially important to drive defensively, and pay close attention to the drivers around you when traveling at night.
10. Consider learning how to drive a race car.
While this may sound like a frivolous and unnecessary expense, learning how to properly drive a high performance vehicle at a driving school is one of the best ways to improve your skills as a driver. You will learn how to drive a car in stressful and extreme conditions. This will give you the opportunity to learn accident avoidance maneuvers, and how to recover from a skid while in safe and controlled environment. When you understand how to make a car do what you need it to do in an emergency, it can make a huge difference in an accident, and could save your life.
While none of these tips will ensure that you will always avoid a car accident, they will make you a better driver. You can only control how you drive while on the road, not the actions of the other vehicles. Through driving defensively, maintaining your vehicle properly, and not being distracted by cells phones and other activities, you will be able to respond correctly in an emergency situation.
If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault and have sustained a serious injury, it is important to contact a car accident injury attorney as quickly as possible. The Angell Law Firm has a team of lawyers that are skilled at handling injury cases and will be able to advise you of your legal rights.
An experienced car injury attorney will have compassion for your situation and treat your case with the highest level of professionalism. Contact the Angell Law Firm at 770-217-4954 for a free consultation and speak with a car injury lawyer today about the details of your case.
