Car accidents come when we least expect them. You are driving home from work listening to music, when all of a sudden the driver in front of you slams on their brakes, and you collide directly into the vehicle ahead of you. Or maybe, you are driving through a green light, when another driver comes speeding through the intersection crashing directly into your vehicle. While not all car accidents can be avoided simply by following the law, many car accidents are preventable when you stay focused and drive smart.
Being involved in a car accident can come with serious consequences that in some cases can have a long term impact on your life. These accidents may lead to physical trauma and injuries, financial difficulty, and even emotional strain. We want to help prepare you to do everything you can to be an alert and save driver, in order to avoid making small mistakes that can come with massive consequences.
At the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers in Houston we are focused on doing what is best for you. Listed below are some tips on how you can avoid being involved in a car accident:
Stay Focused: As we have mentioned in other blogs, distracted driving is the number one cause for car accidents in the U.S. every year. Some of the most common forms of distracted driving include texting while driving, using a phone or other device while driving, listening to loud disorienting music while driving, talking to passengers while driving, eating while driving, smoking cigarettes while driving, trying to take photos while driving, and more. Thousands of car accidents happen every single day, eliminating the risk factors for being involved in an accident can help you to avoid inconvenience and injury. When you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, put your phone somewhere out of reach, listen to music at a reasonable volume, avoid distractions, and focus on the road!
Go The Speed Limit: Sounds simple, right? Yet everyday thousands of people are involved in car accidents due to the at-fault driver speeding. Speed limits are put in place for a reason. They are used to inform you of the safest speed to travel on that particular road. You may think you know best, or may think speeding occasionally so you get to work on time is okay, but all it takes is one time for you to end up with a life-altering injury, or harming another driver. You may think a speed limit is unreasonably slow, but this is typically done to avoid certain hazards from roads with higher traffic, sharp turns, uneven pavement, and many other variables. The faster you speed, the slower your reaction time will be if you need to prevent an car accident and the longer it will take to stop your car. Make sure you are choosing to drive smart by always following the speed limits in place.
Stay Sober: If you know that you will be driving at some point in the night, stay sober. Again, this is a very obvious and important rule to avoid being in an accident, yet it is often overlooked and ignored by those who get caught up in the moment of having fun. It is extremely dangerous to operate a vehicle while you are intoxicated. Even though driving drunk is completely avoidable, drunk drivers continue to cause crashes every day. If you go out and plan to drink, always use a designated driver or stay close to home so you can easily call yourself a car. There are many driving service apps that make it simpler than ever before to get where you need to go.
Drive Carefully: If you fail to drive carefully you may end up in a completely avoidable car collision. This is what happens, everyday, to reckless drivers who speed, change lanes without warning, roll through stop signs, or tailgate. Reckless drivers are often impatient in traffic so be sure to take extra precautions whenever you notice an aggressive driver around you. A huge step in avoiding accidents is being aware of what other drivers are doing and distancing yourself from those who are displaying signs of driving recklessly. It is worth it to slow down, and let reckless drivers get ahead of you to avoid being involved in a car accident.
Avoid Unsafe Weather Conditions: While you may not always have the option to avoid driving during rain or snowfall, avoid driving in unsafe conditions when you can. Weather conditions, such as rain, are one of the leading cases to car accidents, meaning drivers should exercise extra caution while they are driving in the rain. Wet roads lead to slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles, which can often cause vehicles to spin out of control or skid when they are trying to brake. To avoid a car accident, drive extra careful when it rains. If you have the option of not driving in the rain, take it. Additionally, if you are driving on the road and become overwhelmed by the conditions, pull off somewhere safe and wait for the weather to calm down before getting back on the road.
Stop At Red: Running through red lights, or red stop signs, can quickly lead to a serious car accident. Drivers that speed through red lights and stop signs, put other drivers at risk of severe injury and even death. These accidents often can cause a side-impact that leads to vehicle rollover collisions at high speeds. To avoid a car accident always come to a complete stop and look both ways for oncoming cars before driving through. Sadly, the best way to protect yourself is to not only look out for what you are doing, but to also keep your eyes open for what other drivers are doing. Make sure you look both ways before driving through an intersection even if you have the right away.
Limit Night Time Driving: Driving during the day comes with plenty of risk, but driving at night can double your chances of being involved in a car accident. When you can’t see what is directly ahead of you, you don’t know what to anticipate as you drive towards it. As the sun goes down, your awareness of the road and cars around you must also increase. Additionally, most drunk driving accidents occur at night. Limit the amount of driving you do at night to protect yourself and reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident.
Signal Before You Switch: At some point while you are driving, you will need to transition from the lane you are in to a different one. Unfortunately, whenever a driver fails to do this safely, accidents often occur. Help to prevent an accident by using your left and right turn signals and always check your blind spots before making your way into a new lane, regardless of if it is left or right.
Give Other Drivers Space: Too many drivers are in a hurry, which can lead to driving too close to another car that they cannot react in time if the car in front of them brakes suddenly. As a rule of thumb you should always stay at least one car length between the car in front of you for every 10 mph you drive. This means, if you are driving 60mph, you should be at least 6 cars distance behind the car in front of you. Many fatal car accidents have been the result of a driver dangerously tailgating another vehicle at high speeds. Protect yourself and others by giving other drivers space on the road.
Stay Calm: Behind the wheel is not the place to get emotional or angry. We all get irritated by actions taken by other drivers on the road, whether they have failed to signal, are driving too slow, or have made another risky choice at your expense. Do not have a reaction that causes you to tailgate or speed in order to express your anger. This can quickly cause a serious accident that otherwise would be completely avoidable. Actions like this can have major consequences that you will have to live with the rest of your life. Stay calm, stay safe.
Don’t Drive Sleepy: Drowsy driving in the early morning or late at night is a common risk made by drivers that is nearly as dangerous as driving under the influence. Most of the car accidents caused by drowsy driving happen at night. If you find yourself wanting to fall asleep at the steering wheel, don’t think you can fight it. Instead, quickly find a safe place to pull over and take a nap. This can save your life and the lives of others. Only drive again once you feel fully alert.
Maintain Your Vehicle: Driving a safe car is critical when avoiding accidents. This means, stay on top of your vehicle maintenance such as regular tire checks, oil changes, ensure all of your lights are working properly, that your brakes are functional, and get any irregularities checked out by a mechanic as they occur. You want to make sure your vehicle is safe to have out on the road before you drive!
Drivers have the ability to take their safety into their own hands, however, car accidents cannot always be avoided. Whenever you have the misfortune of being involved in an accident due to the reckless or negligent actions of another driver, working with an experienced car accident attorney can help to protect your rights and protect you throughout the process by ensuring you are not blamed for the accident and that you receive the compensation you deserve. We understand how physically, emotionally, and financially straining car accidents can be, this is why we put your need first. If our team is unable to negotiate reasonable compensation, we can help you file a personal injury lawsuit seeking additional compensation in your case. Learn more about how we can help you get the justice you deserve when you fill out this form.
Abogado de accidentes automovilísticos de habla hispana
Too often Spanish-speaking individuals feel they will not be able to find justice in their car accident cases, causing them to not take action against those who have left them with financial devastation and physical trauma. At the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers, our team refuses to let a language barrier affect your right to justice and compensation. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident and is in need of Spanish-speaking legal advice, our team is here for you. We make it simple for those who have been injured in car accidents to navigate the legal system in order to get the results they need to continue on in their lives. Schedule your no-obligation car accident consultation with Attorney Caruthers today. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure your needs are being met and that you are getting the treatment you deserve in your car accident case. Don’t hesitate, the sooner you call the more we can do to get you results.
Best Car Accident Attorney in Houston TX
If you have been injured, experienced loss of income, or are unable to work because of a car accident, you can benefit from the services of a Houston car accident expert in your personal injury case. Whether you missed work due to an injury or due to not having access to a vehicle, Attorney Beverly R. Caruthers can help you! Our team works hard to bring the most efficient and practical solutions to your car accident case. Beverly R. Caruthers proudly serves and defends the Greater Houston area including but not limited to Baytown, Conroe, Crosby, Humble, Huntsville, Lake Jackson, Missouri City, Pasadena, Spring, Tomball. Our legal team is bilingual and offers Spanish speaking legal counsel for all of our clients. If you need legal representation following an incident don’t hesitate to contact Beverly R. Caruthers Law Office!
Caruthers Law Firm
Address: 4141 Southwest Fwy, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 526-9557
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