Despite the advancements in today’s technology, auto accidents still happen. In 2018 alone, around 2.35 million people get disabled or injured from automotive accidents. However, it can be challenging to avoid personal injury when you get a surprise such as getting blind-sided while driving. This scenario can happen a lot mainly because of another car.
As much as 40 percent of car accidents result in a personal injury in the US alone as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Personal injury accidents are one of the most common reasons people hire lawyers. You may be entitled to compensation if you meet the requirements for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In the last 5 years data, drinking and driving, and speeding were the most common reasons for a traffic accidents.
An Austin personal injury attorney says that when you’re driving, your main objective is to get from one destination to the next safely and without incident. This may sound like a no-brainer, but there are some things you can do to avoid getting involved in an accident.
To help you, we have outlined some driving tips to help you avoid getting into a car accident while driving.
Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready To Go
One of the best ways to avoid an accident is to make sure that you have a vehicle that is in good working order. The vast majority of accidents that occur on the road today are due to faulty vehicles. To prevent this from happening, you should always make sure that your vehicle is ready to go by checking it well before you ever get behind the wheel. Here are some things you can do before you leave:
- Check your tires to ensure they’re inflated properly
- Make sure you have enough fuel to get where you’re going.
- You should also make sure your lights work and that your brakes aren’t grinding or squeaking.
- Tire pressure, oil levels, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid are all important to check before you hit the road.
- Always adhere to its preventive maintenance schedule. This will ensure that all the parts are working correctly and will not break down on you when you need them most.
This can help prevent many accidents that occur due to vehicle failures. In addition to making sure that your car is running properly, it is also important to make sure that you have appropriate safety features in place. This includes wearing a seat belt at all times while driving as well as having proper insurance coverage in case of an accident.
Finally, if something does go wrong while driving down the roadways, do not panic! There are many steps you can take to protect yourself and others on the road with you if an accident should occur.
Avoid Getting Distracted
One of the significant distractions during driving is our phones. The main reason for a lot of personal injuries caused by car crashes is texting while driving and talking on the phone without a headset. Aside from our mobile phones, there are a lot of things that can distract us while we are on the road. These things include changing the radio station, looking at a map, looking at the backseat passengers, texting, talking on the phone and a lot more. When you are driving, only focus on the road ahead of you. Your life and the lives of those around you are more precious than any of those distractions. If you find yourself in a personal injury incident, find an excellent Austin personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Don’t Drive Beyond the Speed Limit
One of the leading causes of fatal crashes is speeding. Most of the time, people are always rushing and they forget to put their safety first in mind. When driving, drive within the speed limit. It is there for a reason. Don’t be so impatient and reckless that you throw away your safety.
What is the safe speed limit in Austin, Texas?
This is a very important question. The most important thing to remember when driving is that you must be aware of what surrounds you. If you are not then chances are that you will have a personal injury accident.
The safe speed limit in Austin is 25 mph unless indicated otherwise. However, there are areas where the speed limit is 35 mph. For example, this rate applies to areas with schools and other establishments.
In some parts of Austin, the speed limit is 45 mph. These include major roads such as I-35, Mopac (Loop 1), US 183 and SH 71. But generally speaking, the maximum speed limit in Austin is 65 mph unless it’s indicated otherwise.
Always Wear a Seatbelt
Seatbelts help prevent a person from flying out of the vehicle or slamming into the dashboard. More than half of most car accidents are due to people not wearing seatbelts. Younger people who are not wearing belts are more at risk of personal injuries.
Don’t Tailgate Someone
Avoid being too close to the car in front of you. Instead, have some time to stop the vehicle when you are driving. Tailgating someone limits your time to respond to a situation. This scenario mostly ends in a rear-end with the car in front of you. Always remember to provide enough space for your vehicle and the one in front of you. A car accident from tailgating someone can lead to some severe personal injuries like herniated disk and whiplash.
Conclusion
A lot of the personal injuries from car accidents are due to the unsafe conditions that people are putting themselves into. These accidents and injuries can be prevented if drivers prioritize safety while driving on the road. Think of the people around you and avoid getting distracted. Changing your mindset can save the lives of so many. A single mistake can end the life of a little girl, a mother, a brother or a husband in just a split second. Drive safely!
Credits to Atty. James Amaro
James Amaro founded the Amaro Law Firm in 2005 after leaving his position as an attorney at a defense law firm. Not long after founding the firm, Mr. Amaro was hired to represent many individuals and families who had their lives destroyed by the BP refinery explosion in Texas City, Texas. Since then, James Amaro has successfully represented thousands of people and businesses in various legal matters, including personal injury claims, business disputes, insurance claims, hurricane claims, and commercial litigation.
